What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rancor
Example
She held a deep rancor towards her ex-husband for years after their divorce. [rancor: noun]
Example
The politician's speech was filled with rancor towards his opponents. [rancor: noun]
animosity
Example
There was a lot of animosity between the two rival gangs. [animosity: noun]
Example
The siblings had always felt a sense of animosity towards each other. [animosity: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Animosity is more commonly used than rancor in everyday language. Animosity is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rancor is less common and tends to be used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rancor and animosity?
Both rancor and animosity can be used in formal or informal contexts, but rancor is generally associated with a more formal or literary tone, while animosity is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
