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acrimony

American  
[ak-ruh-moh-nee] / ˈæk rəˌmoʊ ni /

noun

  1. sharpness, harshness, or bitterness of nature, speech, disposition, etc..

    The speaker attacked him with great acrimony.
    Synonyms:
    spite, asperity, spitefulness, animosity, bitterness
    Antonyms:
    politeness, kindness, civility, goodwill
acrimony British  
/ ˈækrɪmənɪ /

noun

  1. bitterness or sharpness of manner, speech, temper, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of acrimony

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin ācrimōnia, from ācri-, stem of ācer “sharp, sour” + -mōnia -mony

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.

It’s a shame Mueller’s long record of service was marred by ill-judged decisions made in this era of acrimony and confusion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Sir Keir is seeking to strengthen trading and cultural ties between the two nations after years of acrimony.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

But Yoon is far from the first South Korean leader to have his term in office end in acrimony and recrimination.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

He too left amid acrimony with county officials.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

Maddened, she strove to pique him by excesses of abandonment under his very nose, and was convulsed by fits of corroding acrimony to discover how futile were her efforts.

From The Curse of Koshiu A Chronicle of Old Japan by Wingfield, Lewis

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.