acrimony
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of acrimony
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin ācrimōnia, from ācri-, stem of ācer “sharp, sour” + -mōnia -mony
Explanation
Acrimony is bitterness, or ill will. Acrimony is a spiteful word. It sounds bitter, like acid. Acrimony comes from the Latin word acrimonia, meaning basically "sharpness." Although it sounds like matrimony, the only thing the words have in common is the suffix from monium which means "state, condition." So it's the state of being acrid, or bitter. It's not just for married folks, though — this slightly dusty noun can refer to any sharp, bitter feeling. After a drawn-out court case, there might be lingering acrimony stirred up during the trial. Not surprisingly, it's also the name of a British heavy metal band from the '90s.
Vocabulary lists containing acrimony
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 Words to Make You Sound Smart
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Pride and Prejudice
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Carney's address to financial leaders in New York comes amid persistent acrimony between his government and US President Donald Trump's administration.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
Their journey was a reminder of something our nation, amid chronic acrimony, might have half-forgotten: When we choose to work together, we can do anything.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
The series is certainly an unflattering look at academia, but the cheap shots are pretty cheap, considering all the current acrimony surrounding higher education and the cartoonish way it’s so often portrayed.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
But the acrimony seemed to dissipate following a "cordial" phone call between the two leaders, which a Colombian official later described as an 180-degree turn "from both sides".
From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026
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.
