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acrimonious argument

acrimonious argument

7.8
A bitter, angry argument that causes hard feelings
  • noun
  • /ˌækrɪˈmoʊniəs ˈɑrɡjʊmənt/
translation icon : discusión acrimoniosa
  • Despite their attempts to stay calm, the debate turned into an acrimonious argument that lasted for hours.

Examples

  • They had an acrimonious argument last night.

  • An acrimonious argument erupted between the two colleagues over the project's direction.

  • Family dinners sometimes ended in an acrimonious argument that left everyone frustrated.

  • The meeting ended in an acrimonious argument.

  • The debate became an acrimonious argument that left both sides feeling angry and hurt.

  • Their discussion turned into an acrimonious argument when they began to insult each other's opinions.

  • After the meeting, the team was left divided due to the acrimonious argument about the project's direction.

Synonyms

fight
vsacrimonious argument
675 2.4

A strong argument between people or groups, often public

is more personally bitter and harsh than broad public dispute
argument
vsacrimonious argument
617 2.3

A disagreement between people that is often angry

is sharper and more bitter rather than merely strong disagreement
conflict
vsacrimonious argument
397 2.3

A serious disagreement between people or groups over ideas

is narrower, focusing on bitter personal harshness rather than general disagreement
dispute
vsacrimonious argument
384 3.0

A serious argument about something important that lasts a long time

is more emotionally bitter rather than formally serious or long
row
vsacrimonious argument
  • UK
74 6.0

A noisy argument between people

is more about bitter harshness than just seriousness or noise
quarrel
vsacrimonious argument
61 2.0

An angry argument between people who are usually friendly

is harsher and more bitter, not just a temporary falling out
altercation
vsacrimonious argument
52 6.8

A noisy argument between people often in public

is angrier and more bitter rather than focused on public noise
run-in
vsacrimonious argument
  • Informal
41 5.2

An angry argument with someone

is deeper and more bitter rather than short and limited
contention
vsacrimonious argument
34 6.5

A strong disagreement between people or groups

is harsher and more bitter rather than highlighting opposition alone
wrangling
vsacrimonious argument
16 6.7

A long heated argument about a specific issue

is more defined by bitterness and harsh language than by duration
war of words
vsacrimonious argument
15 6.2

A long angry argument in public between opposing groups

is about sharp personal bitterness rather than length or publicity of the exchange
heated debate
vsacrimonious argument
12 3.5

An argument with strong feelings and different opinions

is more about personal harshness than just strong opposing views
shouting match
vsacrimonious argument
  • Informal
7 3.8

A noisy argument in which people try to shout louder than each other

is bitter in tone rather than noisy or volume focused
heated argument
vsacrimonious argument
7 3.5

A strong angry disagreement between people with loud voices

is angrier and more bitter rather than only emotionally intense
heated discussion
vsacrimonious argument
5 3.7

An argument where people speak loudly and with strong feelings

is similar but emphasizes harsh personal bitterness rather than general intensity
wrangle
vsacrimonious argument
2 7.4

A noisy argument that lasts a long time

is more about sharp anger and harshness than length or noise
flite
vsacrimonious argument
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An argument between people that uses angry words

is equally cutting but stresses overall bitter tone rather than word choice alone
argy-bargy
vsacrimonious argument
  • Slang
1 9.9

A noisy argument between people about a small issue

is meaner and more bitter rather than animated or merely noisy
words
vsacrimonious argument
  • Informal
1 6.2

A short angry argument between people

is more bitter and harsh than a simple angry exchange
shitting match
vsacrimonious argument
  • Offensive
9.9

A very angry, petty argument with personal insults

is similarly bitter but focuses on harshness rather than pettiness or outcome

Antonyms

428 1.0

Calm and quiet, without noise or trouble

2 4.1

In a peaceful, friendly way without conflict

Trying to calm people and help them agree

How Bitter

to feud
16 5.6
acrimonious argument
7.8
argument
617 2.3
disagreement
268 1.6
discussion
1.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

acrimonious + argument

The meaning 'a bitter, angry dispute' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'acrimonious' (bitter/harsh) with 'argument' (a disagreement). This simple adjective + noun compositional pattern follows normal English semantics and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Acrimonious argument comes from an old word for 'sharp' or 'bitter', like a sour taste that stings, so imagine words that hurt rather than heal. That's why acrimonious and argument together mean a fight that is 'bitter and full of anger'.