acrimony

noun

ac·​ri·​mo·​ny ˈa-krə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce acrimony (audio)
plural acrimonies
: anger and bitterness : harsh or biting sharpness especially of words, manner, or feelings
The dispute continued with increased acrimony.

Examples of acrimony in a Sentence

The dispute began again with increased acrimony. she responded with such acrimony that he never brought the subject up again
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If Trump manages to meet the sobering moment with humility and to offer calls for unity amid acrimony, expect the hand-wringing over Biden to get more noticeable in a hurry. Philip Elliott, TIME, 16 July 2024 Ultimately, neither the American nor the Indian approach provides a stable basis for long-term cooperation; both will instead produce only acrimony and frustration. Robert D. Blackwill, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019 While tension between prosecutors and agents during an investigation are routine, this case had taken on an intense level of acrimony due to the potential defendant: former President Donald Trump. Kaylah Jackson, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2024 Given the level of acrimony between Israel and the UN, the Israeli government is unlikely to accept a mission that is run fully by the UN. Jonathan Lincoln, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acrimony 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French acrimonie, borrowed from Latin ācrimōnia, from ācr-, ācer "sharp, biting, keen" + -mōnia, suffix of abstract nouns (going back to the Indo-European noun-forming suffix *-mĕ̄n-/*-mŏ̄n- + the abstract noun formative *-i-) — more at acr-

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acrimony was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near acrimony

Cite this Entry

“Acrimony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acrimony. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

acrimony

noun
ac·​ri·​mo·​ny ˈak-rə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce acrimony (audio)
plural acrimonies
: harsh or biting sharpness especially of words, manner, or disposition
acrimonious
ˌak-rə-ˈmō-nē-əs
adjective
acrimoniously adverb
acrimoniousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on acrimony

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