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rancor

American  
[rang-ker] / ˈræŋ kər /
especially British, rancour

noun

  1. bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred; malice.

    Synonyms:
    animosity, venom, spite, bitterness
    Antonyms:
    benevolence

Related Words

See malevolence.

Other Word Forms

  • rancored adjective
  • unrancored adjective

Etymology

Origin of rancor

1175–1225; Middle English rancour, from Middle French, from Late Latin rancōr- (stem of rancor ) “rancidity,” equivalent to Latin ranc(ēre) ( rancid ) + -ōr- -or 1

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.

Even when denying Tamora’s entreaties, Mr. Page’s Titus speaks in grave but reasonable tones, without a trace of rancor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

You have two choices after that: Mention it in a review — factually and without rancor — or contact the Airbnb Resolution Center.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

Some supporters of Ken Paxton think that rancor is more important.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Many of her insights are astute, though occasionally tinged with rancor.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2025

When she heard it, Amaranta thought of Pietro Crespi, his evening gardenia, and his smell of lavender, and in the depths of her withered heart a clean rancor flourished, purified by time.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez