Acrimony - IELTS Word of the Day for Speaking & Writing

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

4 min read

Updated On Aug 26, 2025

Express bitterness or hostility with the word ‘Acrimony’ and get familiar with the synonyms as well as usage as a noun and adjective. Check the list of topics in which you can use it to excel in the IELTS Speaking & Writing sections.

Acrimony - IELTS Word of the Day for Speaking & Writing

What is the Meaning of the Word ‘Acrimony’?
List of Topics to Use Acrimony in IELTS Speaking & Writing Sections
Exercise on Acrimony for IELTS Speaking & Writing

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The word ‘Acrimony’ means bitterness or ill-feeling, which can come in handy while attempting the IELTS Speaking and Writing sections. Vocabulary is essential in achieving band scores in the IELTS Exam, given that the Speaking and Writing tests expect you to provide precise, varied sentence structure. Learning how to use the word in sentences will not only help you apply it effectively but also make you aware of its synonyms and other key aspects that will eventually strengthen your vocabulary.

Let’s dive into the word and help you learn the term!

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What is the Meaning of the Word ‘Acrimony’?

Try not to use the word immediately after you get to know its meaning. This can also lead you to guess how to use them in sentences. Rather, it is suggested that you look at the meaning, understand the synonyms, and then get familiar context in which it can be used while knowing about the origin. This will help you to recall the term ‘Acrimony’ as you try to answer the IELTS Speaking & Writing questions. Therefore, to get a higher IELTS Band Score, you need to look at the table below.

Topic	Description
Acrimony	Noun
Definition	Bitterness or ill-feeling
Synonyms	Anger, Harshness, Resentment
Origin	Acrimony originates from the Latin word acrimonia, which means “bitter taste or smell”.
Acrimony [As a noun]	The rising income inequality is creating great acrimony between the upper and the working class. Ever since the divorce proceedings, there has been too much acrimony between Adam and Christina Her acrimony for her neighbors manifests itself in shouting and stomping. They broke up without any acrimony. The resentment grew into acrimony after a period of time. We were shocked by the level of acrimony shown after the council meeting. His review of my book was dripping with acrimony. It is incredibly difficult, nay, impossible, to resolve feelings of acrimony between two quarrelling women.
Acrimonious [As an Adjective]	It is not advisable to have acrimonious relations with your own family. The quarrel between Jenna and Joanna was acrimonious beyond all imagination. I have had my fair share of acrimonious encounters with the law enforcement in this town. The results of the referendum might lead to acrimonious relations between the provincial and the federal government.

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List of Topics to Use Acrimony in IELTS Speaking & Writing Sections

The word is generally used to denote conflict, bitterness, or hostility in personal, workplace, or political relationships. Now, let us take a look at some of the following topics with examples so that you can apply it naturally in your answers. Along with that, you can get familiar with how to incorporate it over a range of topics.

Family & Relationships

“The divorce was finalized with surprising acrimony where both sides had bitter relations with one another.”

Workplace Conflicts

“Acrimony often starts when employees do not feel valued by management.”

Politics and Society

“In many countries, politics give rise to acrimony between rival parties.”

Education and Peer Pressure

“Group projects sometimes end in acrimony due to unequal contribution.”

Technology and Social Media

“Social media debates can quickly descend into acrimony.”

Cultural Differences

“Cultural misunderstandings may cause acrimony if not addressed sensitively.”

Global Issues (Environment, Economy, Etc.)

“International climate negotiations often result in acrimony due to discussions about responsibilities.”

Friendships and Personal Bonds

“Their friendship ended in acrimony after a financial dispute.”

Want to learn IELTS Speaking IDIOMS for BAND 9? Let’s check out the video below!

Exercise on Acrimony for IELTS Speaking & Writing

It is time to practice! The following exercise will train you to fit “Acrimony” into sentences. While working through the exercise, pay attention to the context, as this will help you identify where the word fits best in normal and natural usage.

Choose the correct vocabulary word and fill in the blanks.

Neutrality	Curiosity	Optimism
Acrimony	Enthusiam	Compassion

1 His ____________ for the new assignment encouraged the rest of the group.

2 The ____________ between the two political leaders was visible in every debate.

3 During the trial, the judge maintained complete ____________ without taking sides.

4 Despite the failures, she continued her work with unwavering ____________ .

5 Acts of ____________ during disasters often restore faith in humanity.

6 A spirit of ____________ drives students to explore beyond textbooks.

Answer to the Exercise on Acrimony for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Let's go over the answers together. Remember that every step you take brings you closer to your goal. By reviewing the answers, you will learn how to use the term appropriately in IELTS Speaking and Writing questions.

Enthusiasm
Acrimony
Neutrality
Optimism
Compassion
Curiosity

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Incorporating ‘Acrimony’ in the right context, such as workplace conflicts, political debates, or family disputes, would build your lexical range. This would, in turn, demonstrate your mastery of nuanced vocabulary. So, keep learning new words and hone your language skills.

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