acrimonious

[ak-ruh-moh-nee-uhs]

adjective

1. caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature, speech, behavior, etc..

   an acrimonious answer; an acrimonious dispute.

acrimonious

/ ˌækrɪˈməʊnɪəs /

adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• acrimoniously adverb
• acrimoniousness noun
• unacrimonious adjective
• unacrimoniously adverb
• unacrimoniousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrimonious¹

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

Example Sentences

When O'Neill took temporary charge of Celtic last month, he walked into a club rocked by internal division, highlighted by the acrimonious nature of Brendan Rodgers' exit.

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Denise Richards’ estranged husband Aaron Phypers must continue to keep his distance from the actor and reality TV star as they move forward in their acrimonious divorce.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Last year, after two weeks of acrimonious haggling, COP29 ended unhappily with developed nations agreeing to provide $300 billion a year in climate finance to developing ones by 2035, well below what is needed.

Read more on Barron's

Repairing relations with China, which have been acrimonious for several years, has become a priority for Carney as he seeks other markets to offset the damage caused by U.S. tariffs on key Canadian exports.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In the midst of an acrimonious and widely publicised custody battle for their two young boys, the Princess of Pop said she acted out in defiance and wanted to give the press "some material".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• belligerent 
• bitter 
• caustic 
• petulant 
• rancorous 
• testy