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

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.

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

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

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Another, equally important, is to try to unify the country as far as possible after the rancor of a divisive election campaign.

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Once upon a time, it was possible to believe Donald Trump would set aside rancor and lies and be a president for us all.

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Related Words

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