The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

acrimonious

IPA:

Dictionary definition of acrimonious

Intense bitterness, hostility, and resentment.
"The band broke up after an acrimonious split due to creative differences."

Detailed meaning of acrimonious

When a situation becomes acrimonious, there is a palpable atmosphere of animosity and deep-seated conflict. People involved in such a situation often express their strong negative emotions through sharp and caustic language, biting remarks, and hostile behavior. The interactions are filled with anger, resentment, and a desire to hurt or belittle the other party. Acrimonious situations can arise in personal relationships, professional settings, or even in public debates. The underlying tone of acrimony makes it difficult for parties to find common ground or reach a resolution, as the bitterness and hostility often overshadow any possibility of cooperation or understanding.

Example sentences containing acrimonious

1. The acrimonious dispute between the two neighbors escalated over the course of several months.
2. His acrimonious remarks about the painting didn't sit well with the artist.
3. Their divorce proceedings turned acrimonious when the question of property division arose.
4. The acrimonious relationship between the two politicians made it hard for them to work together.
5. An acrimonious debate ensued after the controversial proposal was put forward.
6. They had an acrimonious falling out and haven't spoken to each other in years.

History and etymology of acrimonious

The adjective 'acrimonious' has its etymological roots in Latin. It can be traced back to the Latin word 'acrimonia,' which is derived from 'acrimo,' meaning 'sharp' or 'bitter.' 'Acrimo' itself comes from 'acer,' which means 'sharp' or 'harsh.' Thus, 'acrimonious' originally meant 'sharp' or 'bitter' in a literal sense. Over time, it evolved to describe intense bitterness, hostility, and resentment in human interactions and disputes. Its etymology underscores the idea of sharpness and harshness in the tone or nature of conflicts and arguments, highlighting the acerbic quality of such interactions.

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Further usage examples of acrimonious

1. I was taken aback by the acrimonious tone she used when speaking about her boss.
2. The two brothers engaged in an acrimonious battle for their father's estate.
3. The acrimonious meeting ended with no resolution, only deeper resentment.
4. The writer responded to the negative reviews of his book with an acrimonious letter to the editor.
5. It was an acrimonious divorce that left both parties bitter and resentful.
6. The acrimonious breakup of the band shocked their fans around the world.
7. After an acrimonious dispute over the last piece of pizza, they decided to just split it.
8. Their acrimonious feud started over a trivial misunderstanding.
9. She sent an acrimonious email to the company, expressing her dissatisfaction with their services.
10. The meeting began with an acrimonious argument between the two department heads.
11. The acrimonious dispute over the border has been going on for years.
12. An acrimonious debate erupted in the comment section of the online article.
13. Their partnership ended on an acrimonious note, with accusations of dishonesty on both sides.
14. A once amicable relationship between the two companies turned acrimonious due to a disagreement on the joint project.
15. The acrimonious dispute between the neighbors over a fence dragged on for months.
16. Her acrimonious remarks during the meeting left everyone in a bad mood.
17. The debate quickly turned acrimonious when the candidates started to attack each other's character.
18. Despite an acrimonious divorce, they both remained committed to co-parenting their children.
19. The once harmonious community was torn apart by acrimonious conflicts over property lines.
20. The chef stormed out of the kitchen after an acrimonious exchange with a customer.
21. Their acrimonious relationship made working together almost impossible, and productivity plummeted.
22. The acrimonious tone of the political campaign left many voters feeling disillusioned.
23. They decided to part ways after the acrimonious end to their business partnership.
24. The writer’s acrimonious critique of the movie was met with backlash from fans.
25. The union and the company are locked in an acrimonious battle over wages and benefits.