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

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

But too often, they have descended into acrimony as companies and governments argued over specs or who would get the bulk of the contracts.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

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

From BBC

The acrimony now spilling out in the court filings is a U-turn in a relationship forged over nearly a decade.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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