acrimony
Sharp, bitter hostility
Acrimony is bitter, sharp hostility—the kind that accumulates over time and poisons relationships.
It suggests not just anger but lingering resentment: The divorce proceedings were marked by acrimony.
Where animosity might be quiet, acrimony tends to be expressed openly, often in harsh words.
Sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- rancorLasting bitter resentment
ill will · antagonism · bad blood · enmity · spite · venom · grudge · feud
Biased toward one side
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- mudslingingMalicious personal attacks
smear · attack · rhetoric · vitriol · divisiveness · debate · opposition · controversy
Extended angry speech
- diatribeBitter, prolonged verbal attack
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
denunciation · castigation · tongue-lashing · berating · scolding · condemnation · criticism · barb
Protective care or control
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- proceedingsSequence of formal events
- litigationLegal dispute process
- alimonyCourt-ordered post-divorce payments
contested · separation · lawyers · mediation · dispute · assets · negotiation · courtroom
bitterness
Sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
rancor · ill will · antagonism · bad blood · enmity · spite · venom · grudge · feud · estrangement
partisan
Biased toward one side
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
mudslinging · smear · attack · rhetoric · vitriol · divisiveness · debate · opposition · controversy · infighting
tirade
Extended angry speech
- diatribeBitter, prolonged verbal attack
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
rebuke · denunciation · castigation · tongue-lashing · berating · scolding · condemnation · criticism · barb · insult
custody
Protective care or control
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- proceedingsSequence of formal events
- litigationLegal dispute process
alimony · contested · separation · lawyers · mediation · dispute · assets · negotiation · courtroom · tribunal
- bad bloodanimosity, hostility, enmity, resentment, grudge
- hatredhate, hateful, abhor, abhorrence, detest
- hostilityanimosity, hostility, antagonism, belligerence, malice
- resentmentresentful, grudge, bitterness, rancor, spite
- tensionsstrain, friction, hostility, discord, strife
- bitternessbitterness, resentment, rancor, grudge, spite
acrimonywarmth
Heat you feel
kindness · goodwill · cordiality · friendliness · geniality
acrimonycivility
Formal politeness in conduct
courtesy · politeness · graciousness · diplomacy · tactfulness