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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

Acrimonious

Adjective

IPA /ˌækrɪˈməʊniəs/

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Meaning in plain English

Angry and bitter in tone, especially in speech or debate.

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Pronunciation

Acrimonious/ˌækrɪˈməʊniəs/

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  1. Bitter accusations

  2. Angry replies

An acrimonious argument is full of anger and bitterness.

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  1. The divorce proceedings turned acrimonious, with both sides airing personal grievances.
  2. What began as a friendly discussion quickly became acrimonious over politics.

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The divorce proceedings turned ________, with both sides airing personal grievances.
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Acrimonious — Angry and bitter in tone, especially in speech or debate.

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Angry and bitter in tone, especially in speech or debate.

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Word origin

Formed from acrimony and -ous. Acrimony ultimately comes from Latin acrimonia, meaning sharpness.

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Common combinations include an acrimonious argument, debate or divorce. The word describes bitter hostility; lasting emotional harm is not required.

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Acrimonious

/ˌækrɪˈməʊniəs/ (Adjective)

“Formal: use acrimonious for a bitter argument, dispute or exchange. It describes hostility, without requiring a deliberate wish to hurt someone.”

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