acrimony
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of acrimony
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin ācrimōnia, from ācri-, stem of ācer “sharp, sour” + -mōnia -mony
Explanation
Acrimony is bitterness, or ill will. Acrimony is a spiteful word. It sounds bitter, like acid. Acrimony comes from the Latin word acrimonia, meaning basically "sharpness." Although it sounds like matrimony, the only thing the words have in common is the suffix from monium which means "state, condition." So it's the state of being acrid, or bitter. It's not just for married folks, though — this slightly dusty noun can refer to any sharp, bitter feeling. After a drawn-out court case, there might be lingering acrimony stirred up during the trial. Not surprisingly, it's also the name of a British heavy metal band from the '90s.
Vocabulary lists containing acrimony
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Pride and Prejudice
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ahead of the meeting, rhetoric from Washington and Beijing has underscored only deepening acrimony and distrust over their rush to dominate the technological frontier.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
The A-list celebrity couple is now settling in back in Harry's homeland, six years after they stepped down as working royals and left for the United States amid bitter acrimony with his family.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
The acrimony between the Overdecks, both 56, has been brewing for years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
Mourinho's last spell there ended in acrimony as he fell out with club captain Iker Casillas and other players.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
Much acrimony was engendered by these contests; and all elections for county officers or State Legislature hinged upon this question.
From The History of Peru by Henry S. Beebe
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
