rancor

noun

ran·​cor ˈraŋ-kər How to pronounce rancor (audio)
-ˌkȯr
: bitter deep-seated ill will
Choose the Right Synonym for rancor

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will.

enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

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.

a natural antipathy for self-seekers
antagonism between the brothers

animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

Examples of rancor in a Sentence

She answered her accusers calmly and without rancor. In the end, the debate created a degree of rancor among the committee members.
Recent Examples on the Web The Times reports America First has intentionally kept its activities quiet amid Trump’s rancor over Project 2025, operating largely under wraps as Project 2025 has grabbed national headlines. Alison Durkee, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 In the sixties, most states were battleground states, and the rancor in the streets corresponded with fluidity at the ballot box. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024 Some party insiders told The Seattle Times this month that certain donors were turned off by rancor at the party's state convention, where the party endorsed far-right gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird before the August primary. Melissa Santos, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024 There is no quick cure-all for the rancor and division consuming our nation. Andrew Tisch, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rancor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rancor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rancour, from Anglo-French rancur, from Late Latin rancor rancidity, rancor, from Latin rancēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rancor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rancor

Cite this Entry

“Rancor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rancor. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rancor

noun
ran·​cor ˈraŋ-kər How to pronounce rancor (audio)
: deep hatred
rancorous
-k(ə-)rəs
adjective
rancorously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on rancor

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