rancor
Noun
Hard difficulty
What does “rancor” mean?
noun.bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in contexts involving conflict, personal relationships, or historical grievances. It emphasizes a deep-seated, enduring animosity rather than fleeting anger, distinguishing it from similar words like "resentment," which may not carry the same weight of long-lasting bitterness.
Common Confusions
Rancor implies deep-seated, enduring bitterness, while resentment usually suggests a less intense, more immediate feeling of displeasure that may not last as long.
Do not choose rancor if the context emphasizes temporary anger or frustration rather than bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing.
Example Sentences
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He spoke without rancor, despite years of unfair treatment.
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Years later, he still spoke with rancor about the betrayal.