acrimonious
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for acrimonious, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Full of anger and bitterness, especially during an argument or dispute.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use acrimonious
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
acrimonious divorce
acrimonious debate
acrimonious dispute
acrimonious split
A formal word, common in news writing about legal and workplace disputes.
Etymology
Formed from acrimony plus the adjective-forming suffix -ous. Acrimony traces back through French to the Latin word acrimonia, meaning sharpness or pungency, which itself comes from the Latin acer, meaning sharp or bitter.
Full origin of acrimonious →Frequently asked questions
What does acrimonious mean?
It describes a dispute, argument or relationship marked by anger and bitterness.
Is acrimonious a formal word?
Yes, it is a fairly formal word, often found in news reports and legal or workplace contexts to describe bitter disagreements.
What is an example of an acrimonious situation?
A bitterly contested divorce or a heated boardroom dispute could both be described as acrimonious.
