have it in for

ADJECTIVE

belligerent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggressive antagonistic bellicose combative contentious hostile ornery quarrelsome

STRONG

fighting flip mean militant

WEAK

ardent at loggerheads battling cantankerous fierce have a bone to pick have chip on shoulder hot hot-tempered on the outs pugnacious scrappy truculent warlike

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable calm friendly kind peaceful

STRONG

peaceloving

WEAK

cooperative helping nice

ADJECTIVE

scrappy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggressive combative fierce ornery

WEAK

antagonistic ardent at loggerheads battling bellicose cantankerous contentious fighting flip have a bone to pick have chip on shoulder hostile hot hot-tempered mean militant on the outs pugnacious quarrelsome truculent warlike

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm peaceful

VERB

victimize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deceive discriminate against dupe exploit persecute pick on prey on sting

STRONG

bamboozle burn chisel clip con cozen defraud fleece gull hoax hoodwink immolate screw snow swindle trick use

WEAK

flimflam pigeon rope in set up stack the deck stiff sucker take advantage of

Antonyms

STRONG

be honest give help

WEAK

aid assist protect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Major League Baseball introduced its automated ball-strike challenge system about six weeks ago and, already, there is one undeniable truth about the game’s new electronic overlords: The robot umpires have it in for pitchers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

It plays straight into the hands of those supporters only too willing to cry "corruption" or feel referees "have it in" for their particular club.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2024

Harry appears to really have it in for his stepmother, Camilla, Queen Consort, the wife and longtime lover of his father.

From Washington Post • Jan. 10, 2023

"Then he goes ahead and writes a novel. He knows he will get killed critically because everyone in the literary establishment will have it in for him."

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2018

Stanley didn't know why Mr. Pendanski seemed to have it in for Zero.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar

have it in for

Example Sentences

Related Words