acrimony

[ak-ruh-moh-nee]

noun

1. sharpness, harshness, or bitterness of nature, speech, disposition, etc..

   The speaker attacked him with great acrimony.

   Synonyms: spite, asperity, spitefulness, animosity, bitterness
   Antonyms: politeness, kindness, civility, goodwill

acrimony

/ ˈækrɪmənɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrimony¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin ācrimōnia, from ācri-, stem of ācer “sharp, sour” + -mōnia -mony

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrimony¹

C16: from Latin ācrimōnia, from ācer sharp, sour

Example Sentences

Political history in the Netherlands shows that coalitions have a habit of collapsing in acrimony.

Read more on Barron's

In this volume, we find acrimony aplenty during the move from one marriage to the next, yet Updike’s tenderness, a natural instinct for conciliation, always re-emerges.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Republicans have said they won't negotiate with political hostage-takers, but it is possible to see ground for compromise underneath the overheated rhetoric and acrimony.

Read more on BBC

The Italian Grand Prix threw up the sort of situation that in many - if not most - cases in F1 would be expected to generate acrimony.

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But, even then, what promised to be the start of a new golden era ended in acrimony.

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Related Words

• animosity 
• antagonism 
• belligerence 
• bitterness 
• ill feeling 
• ill will 
• rancor