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Synonyms

rancor

American  
[rang-ker] / ˈræŋ kər /
especially British, rancour

noun

  1. bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred; malice.

    Synonyms:
    animosity, venom, spite, bitterness
    Antonyms:
    benevolence

Related Words

See malevolence.

Other Word Forms

  • rancored adjective
  • unrancored adjective

Etymology

Origin of rancor

1175–1225; Middle English rancour, from Middle French, from Late Latin rancōr- (stem of rancor ) “rancidity,” equivalent to Latin ranc(ēre) ( rancid ) + -ōr- -or 1

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.

Mr. Stiles writes in admiring notes that acknowledge without rancor the great man’s flaws.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

You have two choices after that: Mention it in a review — factually and without rancor — or contact the Airbnb Resolution Center.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

Some supporters of Ken Paxton think that rancor is more important.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Now he views the world and the people around him with “much more compassion and understanding. I have no more time for rancor and bitterness — they’re like a cancer.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025

In the spring he had longed to plant begonias and zinnias in a narrow bed around his tent but had been deterred by his fear of Corporal Whitcomb’s rancor.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller