rancor

noun

ran·​cor ˈraŋ-kər 

-ˌkȯr

: bitter deep-seated ill will

Synonyms

• animosity
• animus
• antagonism
• antipathy
• bad blood
• bitterness
• enmity
• gall
• grudge
• hostility
• jaundice

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 Manchester band announced in August that the long-feuding Gallagher brothers would put aside 15 years of rancor to embark on a 2025 reunion tour, which will include shows at Chicago’s Soldier Field and New York City-area MetLife Stadium. —Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

The move was first reported by The Guardian, which said Lewandowski had caused rancor internally in the campaign by threatening to take over the Trump campaign and conducting an audit of co-chair Chris LaCivita's handling of campaign funds. —Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2024

For all the partisan rancor in debates about foreign policy today, this new paradigm should—and likely will—continue to define U.S. policy. —James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2021

The rancor between the two men has persisted and grown since the Hamas attack last October. —Tara John, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

rancor

noun

ran·​cor ˈraŋ-kər 

: deep hatred

rancorous

-k(ə-)rəs

adjective

rancorously adverb