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acrimonious Definition

ac·ri·mo·ni·ous (ak′ri mōnē əs)

adjective

bitter and caustic in temper, manner, or speech

Etymology: ML acrimoniosus: see acrimony

acrimonious Related Forms
ac′·ri·mo·ni·ously adverb ac′·ri·mo·ni·ous·ness noun
acrimonious Synonyms

acrimonious

modif.

sharp, bitter, caustic, rancorous; see angry, sarcastic.

acrimonious Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • split: He then joined his other former band mate in the Jack Bruce Band, again ending up in an acrimonious split.
  • divorce: Many of the accusations seem to stem from an acrimonious divorce.
  • departure: His acrimonious departure from the county last year is another area of controversy that he seems keen to clear up.
  • dispute: A number of illegal shooting blinds remain on the reserve and are the subject of continuing acrimonious dispute - so exercise sensible caution!
  • correspondence: Their relationship with The New Leader editor had finally dissolved in an acrimonious correspondence with Sumner.
  • debate: It would see months of acrimonious debate, leaving the party divided over the outcome barely 18 months from a General Election.

Modifying Another Word

  • increasingly: What's needed is a genuine spirit of co-operation, we need to defuse this increasingly acrimonious situation.
  • sometimes: Festival finances have been the subject of sometimes acrimonious debate in Sidmouth for many years.
  • somewhat: The meeting was adjourned on a somewhat acrimonious note.
  • often: This public and often acrimonious debate divided the chemical profession.
  • very: A Case Study You are a busy matrimonial lawyer acting for a wife in very acrimonious divorce proceedings.
  • so: It's a shame that the split has been so acrimonious.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: East and West did not see eye to eye on most of them, and the argument became almost acrimonious at one stage.
  • turn: There is no danger of this thread turning acrimonious.
  • get: Without a good partnership agreement things can get acrimonious.

Browse dictionary entries near acrimonious

  1. Acrilan
  2. acriflavine
  3. acridine
  4. acrid
  5. acreage report
  6. acreage
  7. acre-inch
  8. acre-foot
  9. acre
  10. ACR
  1. acrimony
  2. acritical
  3. acro-
  4. acrobat
  5. acrobatics
  6. acrocarpous
  7. acrocephaly
  8. acrogen
  9. acrolein
  10. acrolith