English vocabulary · C2
Acrimonious
/ˌæk.rəˈmoʊ.ni.əs/ · adj.
An acrimonious fight is full of angry words meant to hurt. Both sides speak with anger; no one wants to give in.
Watch the Acrimonious lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- Acrimonious, Jo yelled back.
- An acrimonious row hurt Kim.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- acrimonia — sharpness (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- BITTER — full of lasting anger (Angry and hurt)
- HOSTILE — showing anger toward someone (Ready to fight)
- HARSH — hurtful in manner (Hard and unkind)
Similar words
- bitter
- hostile
- harsh
- angry
- spiteful
Lesson notes
An acrimonious fight is full of angry words meant to hurt. Both sides speak with anger; no one wants to give in.
Related: bitter, hostile, harsh. Use acrimonious when angry words hurt.
Acrimonious, Jo yelled back. An acrimonious row hurt Kim.
From Latin. acrimonia- means sharpness. Words with sharpness hurt both sides in an acrimonious fight.