rancor
noun
Synonyms
- animosity
- animus
- antagonism
- antipathy
- bad blood
- bitterness
- enmity
- gall
- grudge
- hostility
- jaundice
Example Sentences
Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 China warned that a Taiwan visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would deeply damage relations with the U.S., in what would be one of the highest-level U.S. trips to the island in years amid rancor between Washington and Beijing. James T. Areddy, WSJ, 19 July 2022 Mako has been experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in the face of the public rancor, according to her doctor. Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2021 But the mission ended incomplete despite billions of euros spent and thousands of Malian lives lost (as well as 59 French soldiers), leaving in its wake no shortage of geopolitical rancor and a worryingly deteriorating security situation. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 Sadly, the opposite has happened and even as the panel works diligently to produce a report free of political rancor, the critics bashing the committee are clearly driven by their own political leanings. Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 27 May 2022 That bipartisanship is a welcome respite from the rancor in Washington. Casey Michel, The New Republic, 18 July 2022 Their presence added some spice to the game, not the rancor when Yankees fans invade. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 18 June 2022 The rancor of American politics today will look quaint if political violence harms a Justice and changes the makeup of the Court. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 14 June 2022 See More Word History
Middle English rancour, from Anglo-French rancur, from Late Latin rancor rancidity, rancor, from Latin rancēre
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
rancor
noun
rancor
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- hostility
- grudge
- hatred
- animosity
- bitterness
- antagonism
- enmity
- tension
- animus
- feud
- malice
- antipathy
- friction
- gall
- discord
- jaundice
- bad blood
- vindictiveness
- vendetta
- vitriol
- alienation
- loathing
- disaffection
- hate
- virulence
- spite
- estrangement
- score
- conflict
- malignity
- venom
- unfriendliness
- blood feud
- malignancy
- spitefulness
- coolness
- strain
- inhospitableness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- amity
- civility
- hospitality
- neighborliness
- friendliness
- friendship
- cordiality
- comity
- amiability
- sympathy
- empathy
- goodwill
- understanding
- amicability
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of rancor are animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, and hostility. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.
While the synonyms animosity and rancor are close in meaning, animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.
Although the words animus and rancor have much in common, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.
Both antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility.
While in some cases nearly identical to rancor, enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.
The words hostility and rancor are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.