bad blood

noun

Definition of bad bloodnext
as in hostility
a deep-seated ill will there's been bad blood between the two families for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bad blood No documentary has yet screened a fight or anything particularly controversial, with the Walker-Guardiola row a very rare example of bad blood being aired publicly. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The woman said on Monday that there was no bad blood between her and Usher, but that her interests in the show lay elsewhere. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 July 2026 Between the franchises’ October clashes, dramatic home runs and lingering bad blood have turned nearly every meeting between the teams into must-watch television. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Some of that stems from the political relations between the two nations off the pitch, but much bad blood has also been developed by a string of controversial matches on it. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bad blood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bad blood
  1. hostility
  2. grudge
  3. hatred
  4. bitterness
Noun
  • When a quarrel over an inheritance revives old hostilities, their relationship comes under pressure from greed and treachery in a conflict not of their making.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Grynkewich's remarks had followed a tense weekend between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow launching fresh strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure despite diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Greaves kept his cameras rolling, catching legends affectionately reminiscing, airing grudges, grousing about the next generation and, occasionally, demanding credit where credit is due.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Cohan joins the eight-episode series as Catherine ‘Cat’ Keegan, a former homecoming queen whose small-town charm has sharpened into something fiercer thanks to decades of old grudges and regrets.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of grudge
Noun
  • The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Underneath that façade was a sociopathic white supremacist neo-Nazi filled with hatred, fantasizing about mass murder nearly every day.
    — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • Some are prized for their sweet custard and fruity notes, others for a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter flavor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Arugula’s natural bitterness kicks off digestion before the first bite, cueing saliva, stomach acid and digestive enzymes that help the body prepare to break down a meal.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of bitterness

Browse Nearby Words

bad
bad blood
baddie
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Cite this Entry

“Bad blood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bad%20blood. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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