rancor

especially British, ran·cour

[rang-ker]

noun

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

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

Other Word Forms

• rancored adjective
• unrancored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rancor¹

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

Synonym Study

See malevolence.

Example Sentences

Now he views the world and the people around him with “much more compassion and understanding. I have no more time for rancor and bitterness — they’re like a cancer.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But in the past 10 years, ever since the right to gay marriage was secured in 2015, further divisions have emerged and expanded, along with growing rancor and vitriol.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Above all, as hard as it would have been to believe in 2018, partisan rancor has gotten far worse, with both sides hungrier than ever to score political points.

Read more on Barron's

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We were humbled by his wisdom, and all the rancor was relieved from our bodies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acrimony 
• animosity 
• animus 
• antagonism 
• bad blood 
• bitterness 
• enmity 
• grudge 
• harshness www.thesaurus.com
• hatred 
• hostility 
• ill will 
• malice 
• resentment 
• venom