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

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acrimony British  

/ ˈækrɪmənɪ /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of acrimony

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

Example Sentences

And if his time at Liverpool ends in such acrimony, it will be a sad farewell.

From BBC

If you cover too much ground at once, it can sow confusion and trigger acrimony.

From MarketWatch

Having achieved detente after a period of acrimony, they are charitable with one another, and themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

Political history in the Netherlands shows that coalitions have a habit of collapsing in acrimony.

From Barron's

In this volume, we find acrimony aplenty during the move from one marriage to the next, yet Updike’s tenderness, a natural instinct for conciliation, always re-emerges.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• animosity
• antagonism
• belligerence
• bitterness
• ill feeling
• ill will
• rancor