rancor

noun

ˈraŋ-kər How to pronounce rancor (audio)
Definition of rancornext
as in hostility
a deep-seated ill will controversy over use of pesticides has caused a lot of rancor in this agricultural community

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun rancor differ from other similar words?

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.

rancor filled every line of his letters

When is it sensible to use animosity instead of rancor?

While the synonyms animosity and rancor are close in meaning, animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

Where would animus be a reasonable alternative to rancor?

Although the words animus and rancor have much in common, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

How are the words antipathy and antagonism related as synonyms of rancor?

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.

a natural antipathy for self-seekers
antagonism between the brothers

When is enmity a more appropriate choice than rancor?

While in some cases nearly identical to rancor, enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

When might hostility be a better fit than rancor?

The words hostility and rancor are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rancor Josh Kroenke fired his coach and president of basketball operations in April to end years of not-so-secret intra-office backstabbing and rancor. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 June 2025 Even more interesting: There’s plenty of rancor over whether Messi’s outfit should be in this tournament at all. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 20 June 2025 Few human relationships dissolve without causing pain, humiliation, rancor. —Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025 Also of concern, endorsing conventions have sometimes descended into chaos, rancor and accusations of malfeasance, and the cost and complication involved with hosting conventions have discouraged volunteers. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rancor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rancor
  1. hostility
  2. grudge
  3. hatred
Noun
  • Without an end to hostilities, no humanitarian corridor can function safely, Palestinian civilians cannot be reached at scale and the hostages will not return home.
    — David Miliband, Time, 29 July 2025
  • On Sunday Secretary of State Marco Rubio also called for a swift end to hostilities.
    — Kate Bartlett, NPR, 28 July 2025
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • In the End, Tommy Fleetwood's Character Will Prevail Despite this awkward situation, Fleetwood has no plans to hold too many grudges about what happened.
    — Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
  • President Donald Trump singled out Brazil for import taxes of 50% on Wednesday for its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, showing that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader’s use of tariffs.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Definition of grudge
Noun
  • Many were subjected to many forms of hatred spawned from these misunderstandings.
    — Meredith Kile, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • Despite his extensive progressive bona fides, Wertham’s hatred of the comics medium has forever branded him a right-wing zealot in the minds of comic fans.
    — Vasilis K. Pozios, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2025
Definition of hatred

Browse Nearby Words

ran circles around
rancor
rancorous
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Cite this Entry

“Rancor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rancor. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of rancor for Spanish Speakers

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