What does acrimony mean?
Word: Acrimony
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Acrimony means a sour, resentful feeling between people, often shown in harsh words.
Synonyms: bitterness, resentment
Antonyms: friendliness
How do you spell acrimony?
Syllables: ac - ri - mo - ny
Tricky part: The ending is ony with no e, even though the last part sounds like money.
Watch out for: acrimoney, acrimonie, accrimony
Memory tip: There is no money in acrimony, so leave out the e that money carries.
Acrimony in a sentence
Example 1: The argument over the team kit ended without any acrimony.
Example 2: There was a little acrimony in the staff room about the new duty roster.
Example 3: Years later, the two writers met again and all the acrimony had faded.
Fun Fact
In older English, the word could describe a sharp taste or smell as well as a sharp temper; its Latin source meant sharpness.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word acrimony as used in the sentence:
There was acrimony between the two cricket clubs after the disputed final.
a) confusion
b) hostility
c) excitement
d) goodwill
Show answer
d) goodwill. Goodwill between clubs means they wish each other well, the reverse of sour feeling.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
After years of romiacny, the two neighbours finally sat down and agreed about the boundary wall.
a) harmony
b) ceremony
c) acrimony
d) antimony
Show answer
c) acrimony. Antimony has a t, harmony an h and ceremony two e's, and none of those is in the jumble.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
The debate on the new timetable ended in acrimmony, but the two teams shook hands afterwards and promised to discuss the matter calmly next week.
a) discuss
b) acrimmony
c) timetable
d) afterwards
Show answer
b) acrimmony. There is just one m in this word.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. jealousy 2. rivalry 3. contempt 4. acremony
a) the feeling that someone deserves no respect
b) ill feeling that comes out in sharp words
c) competition between people who want the same thing
d) an unhappy wish for what others have
Show answer
b) ill feeling that comes out in sharp words. An i follows the r in this word; contempt, jealousy and rivalry are all correct.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which meeting is most likely to end in acrimony?
a) a chat about a favourite old song
b) a row over who broke the club rules
c) a quiet talk about the summer holidays
d) a lesson on how to bake good bread
Show answer
b) a row over who broke the club rules
2. Which pair of words goes best with acrimony?
a) hostile and unforgiving
b) tired and sleepy
c) proud and delighted
d) calm and contented
Show answer
a) hostile and unforgiving
