adjective

acrimonious

ak-rih-MOH-nee-uhs

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Acrimonious (adjective) means Full of anger and bitterness, especially during an argument or dispute. Example: “The couple's divorce turned acrimonious over custody of the house.”

adjective

formal Full of anger and bitterness, especially during an argument or dispute.

"The couple's divorce turned acrimonious over custody of the house."

"Colleagues on the committee had an acrimonious falling-out over the budget."

"The negotiations grew increasingly acrimonious as the deadline approached."

How to use acrimonious

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes an argument or split that's turned angry and bitter.

When to use it

A formal word, common in news writing about legal and workplace disputes.

Memory tip

It almost always describes disagreements between people, not objects or tastes.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

acrimonious divorce acrimonious debate acrimonious dispute acrimonious split

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “acrimonious” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The couple's divorce turned _____ over custody of the house.

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.

Origin: Latin (via French)

Synonyms

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bitter rancorous acerbic

Antonyms

smooth pleasant

Related words

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Rhymes for acrimonious

yous nous heinous ominous curious anxious copious tenuous unctuous tortuous spurious infamous

See all rhymes for 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.

What is the meaning of acrimonious?

"acrimonious" (adjective) means full of anger and bitterness, especially during an argument or dispute.

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