Rancor
hardNegative toneRANG-ker
noun
Definition
bitter, long-lasting resentment or ill will
Memory hook
RANCOR: think of milk gone RANCid souring in your chest — a bitter, rotten resentment (rancor) that won't go away.
Word roots
rancor— rancidness, bitterness(Latin)
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Years after the lawsuit, the rancor between the two brothers had not faded.”
“She delivered her concession speech without a trace of rancor toward her opponent.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“Years after the lawsuit, the ______ between the two brothers had not faded.”
Show answer
rancor
Synonyms
Antonyms
goodwillamitycordialitybenevolence
Categories
GRE Tip
Rancor is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "bitterness" or "animosity" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "goodwill".
Related GRE Words
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