rancor
Americannoun
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
Mr. Stiles writes in admiring notes that acknowledge without rancor the great man’s flaws.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 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
We were humbled by his wisdom, and all the rancor was relieved from our bodies.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025
Looking at them now you would scarcely guess that these odd and lumbering beasts could cause great rancor and bitterness, but they did.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
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.
