adjective

• (typically of speech or a debate) angry and bitter.

  ‘an acrimonious dispute about wages’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The deal was reached on Sunday after five days of sometimes acrimonious negotiations.’
  • ‘There could be as much bitter and acrimonious political argument and debate as they liked, but from now on all problems had to be resolved politically.’
  • ‘The more acrimonious and bitter an argument or election contest appears to be, the less likely it is that anything of principle will really be at stake.’
  • ‘It was a bitter, acrimonious divorce that involved lawyers and an emotional tug-of-war over access to Leon.’
  • ‘The obvious reason is that the debates became so acrimonious and bitter, that the Generals ordered him to desist.’
  • ‘The discussions became acrimonious enough for Halifax to consider resigning.’
  • ‘Up to now no-one outside the lifeboat station has a clue what the long-running and acrimonious dispute is all about.’
  • ‘The company was involved in an acrimonious tax dispute with the local government earlier this year.’
  • ‘I chose the more sophisticated outfit, but almost immediately an acrimonious dispute halted work.’
  • ‘Emery was estranged from his fourth wife and a remarkable and acrimonious dispute blew up between the two women.’
  • ‘Matters came to a head in 1925 when, after acrimonious dispute, his work ceased with the project unfinished.’
  • ‘We will also get into acrimonious discussions on morality and values.’
  • ‘The relation between the two opposing camps was bitter and the interaction, acrimonious.’
  • ‘After discussions, which at stages were acrimonious, payments were made.’
  • ‘It's deadlock, with only acrimonious court battles and a bitter tug-of-love to look forward to.’
  • ‘Certainly the tone of her letters changes and the pace of the relationship becomes more settled, albeit fiery and sometimes acrimonious.’
  • ‘It also reveals a rivalry between some of the top DJs that is certainly more friendly than acrimonious.’
  • ‘Questions were raised about cost, in an atmosphere that grew increasingly acrimonious.’
  • ‘There has also been a shift away from acrimonious court proceedings.’
  • ‘Tuesday's skirmish with the tribunal judges was merely the latest of many acrimonious bust-ups.’

  Synonyms

  bitter, rancorous, caustic, acerbic, scathing, sarcastic, acid, harsh, sharp, razor-edged, cutting, astringent, trenchant, mordant, virulent

  View synonyms