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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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.
It’s a shame Mueller’s long record of service was marred by ill-judged decisions made in this era of acrimony and confusion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
"Chinese officials probably want to avoid any public display of acrimony with Trump," said Jean-Loup Samaan, senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Middle East Institute.
From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026
But the acrimony seemed to dissipate following a "cordial" phone call between the two leaders, which a Colombian official later described as an 180-degree turn "from both sides".
From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026
He too left amid acrimony with county officials.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025
Maddened, she strove to pique him by excesses of abandonment under his very nose, and was convulsed by fits of corroding acrimony to discover how futile were her efforts.
From The Curse of Koshiu A Chronicle of Old Japan by Wingfield, Lewis
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.
