rancour crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're tackling the clue "rancour" in your latest crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. Below you'll find a comprehensive list of potential answers, organized by letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your grid.
Solutions for "rancour crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
SPITE: A feeling of desire to harm or annoy someone, often as a result of resentment.
6 Letters
MALICE: The intention or desire to do evil; ill will towards another.
HATRED: Intense dislike or ill will; strong animosity.
ENMITY: The state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
7 Letters
ILLWILL: Unfriendly or hostile feelings, often arising from a past grievance.
9 Letters
ANIMOSITY: Strong hostility, often displayed through overt antagonism or hatred.
10 Letters
RESENTMENT: Bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly; a feeling of ill will against someone or something.
BITTERNESS: A feeling of deep and bitter anger and resentment, often long-lasting.
More About "rancour crossword clue"
'Rancour' (or 'rancor' in American English) describes a feeling of deep-seated, bitter ill-will, often built up over a long period due to a past wrong or perceived injustice. It's a powerful emotion that can fuel hatred, malice, and resentment, making it a rich word for crossword setters who enjoy exploring the nuances of human feelings. Understanding the full spectrum of its synonyms is key to cracking this clue.
When 'rancour' appears as a clue, the setter is usually looking for a word that conveys this sense of persistent, often smouldering, animosity. The context of the surrounding letters in your grid will be crucial. For instance, if you have a five-letter blank, 'SPITE' is a strong contender. If it's a longer slot, words like 'RESENTMENT' or 'BITTERNESS' might be what the puzzle demands. Always consider the exact number of letters needed, as this is the primary filter in crossword solving.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check Letter Count First: Always confirm the number of letters your answer needs. This is the quickest way to narrow down possibilities for clues like "rancour" that have many synonyms.
- Consider Nuance: While synonyms are similar, they aren't identical. 'Rancour' suggests deep, enduring bitterness. Think about which synonym best fits that specific shade of meaning.
- Look for Cross-References: Sometimes, another clue in the puzzle might indirectly hint at the answer for "rancour," perhaps by sharing a letter or a thematic connection.
- Think about Variants: For words like 'rancour', be aware of alternative spellings (e.g., 'rancor'). While less common in UK puzzles, it's worth a quick thought.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there multiple answers for 'rancour' in crosswords?
Crossword clues often have multiple possible answers depending on the number of letters required and the specific nuance or context the setter intends. Words like 'rancour' have many synonyms like 'malice', 'spite', 'hatred', 'animosity', all of which could fit different puzzles. The length of the blank spaces in your crossword will guide you to the correct option.
How can I distinguish between similar synonyms like 'malice' and 'rancour'?
'Rancour' implies a deep-seated, bitter resentment that has festered over time, often from a past wrong. 'Malice' refers more to the active desire to cause harm or ill-will, a more immediate and deliberate intent. While related, 'rancour' is more about the internal bitterness, and 'malice' is about the outward, harmful intention. Crossword setters might use subtle wordplay or surrounding clues to hint at the specific nuance.
What if none of the provided answers fit my crossword for 'rancour'?
While we provide the most common and widely accepted answers, crosswords can be highly creative. Check your other solved letters to see if they narrow down the possibilities. Also, consider if the clue has a specific context (e.g., 'rancour' in a historical or literary sense) that might lead to a less common synonym. If you're still stuck, try entering any known letters into a crossword solver or checking for variations in spelling (e.g., 'rancor' vs 'rancour').