acrimonious

[ ak-ruh-moh-nee-uhs ]

/ ˌæk rəˈmoʊ ni əs /

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See synonyms for: acrimonious / acrimoniously / acrimoniousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature, speech, behavior, etc.: an acrimonious answer; an acrimonious dispute.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of acrimonious

From the Medieval Latin word ācrimōniōsus, dating back to 1605–15. See acrimony, -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM acrimonious

ac·ri·mo·ni·ous·ly, adverbac·ri·mo·ni·ous·ness, nounun·ac·ri·mo·ni·ous, adjectiveun·ac·ri·mo·ni·ous·ly, adverb

un·ac·ri·mo·ni·ous·ness, noun

Words nearby acrimonious

acridid, acridine, acriflavine, acriflavine hydrochloride, Acrilan, acrimonious, acrimony, acritarch, acritical, acro-, acrobat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use acrimonious in a sentence

On the final day, August 24, after much acrimonious debate, a new definition of “planet” was put to a vote.
The definition of planet is still a sore point – especially among Pluto fans|Lisa Grossman|August 24, 2021|Science News
Pelosi allies and detractors alike expect that she’ll find a way to get both sides to an agreement, even if it’s an acrimonious one.
House Democrats Are Fighting Among Themselves on How to Pass Infrastructure|Philip Elliott|August 23, 2021|Time
In an acrimonious meeting last fall, an FDA advisory committee recommended against approval and harshly rebuked FDA staff for what it called an overly positive view.
Alzheimer’s drug sparks emotional battle as FDA nears deadline on whether to approve|Laurie McGinley|May 31, 2021|Washington Post
Negotiations grew acrimonious, and the two sides couldn’t agree on a price.
The Colonial pipeline ransomware hackers had a secret weapon: self-promoting cybersecurity firms|Renee Dudley, Daniel Golden|May 24, 2021|MIT Technology Review

Staffers suggest Greenwald, 54, is motivated by more than just psychic payback for his acrimonious divorce from the Intercept seven months ago.
Glenn Greenwald may have quit the Intercept, but he can’t quit the feud|Paul Farhi|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
And as our political life grows more divided and acrimonious, so will our legal system.
A Reminder: Our Justices are Politicians in Robes|Jedediah Purdy|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Craig Dershowitz spent $60,000 fighting for the return of his dog Knuckles after an acrimonious breakup with his girlfriend.
Divorce Is Going to the Dogs, Literally|Keli Goff|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We were involved in a terribly acrimonious breakup, with great enmity between us and a custody battle slowly gathering energy.
Woody Allen Fires Back: Dylan Farrow Was Brainwashed By Her Mother, Mia Farrow|Tim Teeman|February 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The second is a much smaller matter regarding an acrimonious election involving a few hundred voters.
Setting the Record Straight on a Meretz Scandal|Ralph Seliger|July 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The filibuster reform fight, if pursued, could be far bigger and way, way, way more acrimonious.
The Coming Filibuster War|Michael Tomasky|November 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The ruling passion of the brother-in-law was a stern and acrimonious party spirit.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
When the public prints were filled with an acrimonious discussion as to the meaning of the instructions given to the jury.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
Discussions of the relative merits of The Fair Penitent and its source have been almost invariably acrimonious.
The Fatal Dowry|Philip Massinger
La Ruelle answered in acrimonious terms, declaring that the country was being ruined by German soldiers sent there by the Bishop.
Belgium|George W. T. (George William Thomson) Omond
The two men aired their grievances in a long and acrimonious controversy carried on in the columns of the Virginia Gazette.
Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.|Philip Vickers Fithian

British Dictionary definitions for acrimonious

acrimonious

/ (ˌækrɪˈməʊnɪəs) /

adjective

characterized by bitterness or sharpness of manner, speech, temper, etc

Derived forms of acrimonious

acrimoniously, adverbacrimoniousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

acrimonious

Origin of acrimonious

OTHER WORDS FROM acrimonious

Words nearby acrimonious

Words related to acrimonious

How to use acrimonious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for acrimonious

Derived forms of acrimonious