rancour

USAGE SUMMARY

'rancour' is an accepted and widely used word in written English.
It is typically used to convey feelings of deep-seated animosity, resentment, or bitterness. For example, "She felt a rancour towards her former colleagues that she had difficulty overcoming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He took it as a personal affront the last time he was removed from the team and, whether it is true or not that he was the instigator of all those corrosive dressing-room leaks, the memory still lingers of José Mourinho's first day back at Chelsea and his change in body language when I asked him about the consequences and rancour of favouring Diego López.

The Guardian - Sport

Since then, under the management of Laurent Blanc (who played in the '98 team), and in the wake of a few decent performances, the French team was supposed to be on the way back with the rancour of the World Cup just a bad memory.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Queen's intervention showed the stakes could not have been higher for the pro-UK side, which had started the final countdown to the referendum amid rancour, divisions and bust-ups.

The Guardian

In 2009, Armenia explored a rapprochement with Turkey, but the initiative failed to end decades of mutual rancour.

The Guardian

A fresh spirit swept over the country after the rancour of the Howard years.

The Guardian

He is able to talk without rancour of the schism between himself and the minister for public works in the New South Wales government, Davis Hughes.

The Guardian - Arts

Yet even now, amid the rancour at Hillsborough, Sinn Féin still appears to want to salvage the present power-sharing government.

The Guardian

If we can put aisde the partisanship and the rancour, this package will deliver for kids, Garrett says.

The Guardian

Where's the rancour, the plots, the Byzantine swirl of rumour and leaden-footed positioning?

The Guardian - Sport

All the same, rancour and unease are usually plentiful in football.

The Guardian - Sport

The rancour began after May 2013 when 134 Tory MPs voted against the government, arguing the idea would weaken the institution of marriage.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rancour" to describe deep-seated and long-lasting bitterness, especially in contexts involving past grievances or conflicts.

Common error

Avoid using "rancour" to describe temporary irritation or minor disagreements. Reserve it for situations characterized by enduring resentment and deep-seated animosity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rancour" is as a noun. As Ludwig AI indicates, it refers to a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will. Examples from Ludwig show it describing lingering sentiments in political and personal conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rancour" functions as a noun denoting deep-seated bitterness and resentment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys lasting animosity. Its usage spans across formal and journalistic domains, as reflected in the examples from Ludwig. When using "rancour", it's best to reserve it for scenarios involving sustained animosity rather than fleeting annoyance, as suggested by best practice guidelines. For similar expressions, consider alternatives such as "bitterness", "resentment", or "animosity", to fine-tune the intended intensity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bitterness

This term is a direct synonym, indicating a state of resentful unhappiness.

resentment

Focuses on the feeling of indignation at having been treated unfairly.

ill will

Indicates a feeling of animosity and dislike towards someone.

animosity

Suggests a strong feeling of dislike or hatred.

hostility

Implies open opposition and aggression.

acrimony

Highlights bitterness and sharpness in speech or behavior.

spite

A desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone.

grudge

A persistent feeling of resentment, especially one arising from a past insult or injury.

malice

The intention or desire to do evil; ill will.

venom

Extreme bitterness and malice.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "rancour" in a sentence?

Use "rancour" to depict deep-seated bitterness or resentment, especially when describing prolonged disputes or historical grievances. For example, "The "rancour between the two families" lasted for generations".

What are some words similar to "rancour"?

Alternatives to "rancour" include "bitterness", "resentment", and "animosity". The choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "rancour" in formal writing?

Yes, "rancour" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic or journalistic contexts where a strong, descriptive term is needed to convey lasting resentment or bitterness.

What's the difference between "rancour" and "anger"?

"Anger" is a more immediate emotional response, while "rancour" implies a lingering, deep-seated resentment. You might feel anger in the heat of an argument, but "rancour" suggests that the bitterness persists long after the argument has ended.