What's the difference between acrimony and argument?

Is acrimony formal or informal?

Can I use acrimony for personal disagreements?

Is acrimony used in business or academic writing?

acrimony

/ˈækrɪməni/

IELTSAcademic

noun

Angry, bitter disagreement or hostility among people or groups. Use it for strong, sharp conflict rather than mild disagreement. Limit to 25 words per sentence.

Their divorce was filled with acrimony.
The meeting ended in acrimony.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: acrimony is sharper and more bitter than argument or dispute; it implies sustained hostility. Unlike debate or disagreement, it stresses emotional anger. Choose acrimony when you need a formal, strong term for bitter conflict.

In other languages

Spanish: Amargura
Japanese: 不快な対立
Korean: 싸움
Vietnamese: Tính căm thù
Chinese: 怨恨

Common phrases

with acrimonyacrimony betweenan air of acrimony

Synonyms

hostility bitterness strife rancor enmity

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between acrimony and argument?: Is acrimony formal or informal?
Can I use acrimony for personal disagreements?: Is acrimony used in business or academic writing?