ANIMOSITY Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'animosity' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of animosity are animus , antagonism , antipathy , enmity , hostility , and rancor . While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility. // animosity that led to revenge

Q: When can 'animus' be used instead of 'animosity'?

In some situations, the words animus and animosity are roughly equivalent. However, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice. // objections devoid of personal animus

Q: How are the words 'antipathy' and 'antagonism' related as synonyms of 'animosity'?

Both antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility. // a natural antipathy for self-seekers // antagonism between the brothers

Q: When might 'enmity' be a better fit than 'animosity'?

The synonyms enmity and animosity are sometimes interchangeable, but enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed. // an unspoken enmity

Q: In what contexts can 'hostility' take the place of 'animosity'?

The words hostility and animosity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression. // hostility between the two nations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'rancor' instead of 'animosity'?

The words rancor and animosity can be used in similar contexts, but rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong. // rancor filled every line of his letters

animosity

noun

ˌa-nə-ˈmä-sə-tē

Definition of animosity next

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will his open animosity towards us made our meeting very uncomfortable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun animosity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of animosity are animus, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hostility, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

When can animus be used instead of animosity?

In some situations, the words animus and animosity are roughly equivalent. However, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

How are the words antipathy and antagonism related as synonyms of animosity?

Both antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility.

a natural antipathy for self-seekers

antagonism between the brothers

When might enmity be a better fit than animosity?

The synonyms enmity and animosity are sometimes interchangeable, but enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

In what contexts can hostility take the place of animosity?

The words hostility and animosity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

When is it sensible to use rancor instead of animosity?

The words rancor and animosity can be used in similar contexts, but rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

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 animosity Meghan Markle's decision to pull her new lifestyle series in lieu of the California fires was met with animosity online but received praise by royal watchers. —

Tracy Wright, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2025 The win-or-else stakes on Sunday should quiet any personal animosity, in theory. —

Ben Standig, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 The episode would forever serve as a painful reminder of the animosity and division between the two neighbors. —

Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025 Any animosity was put aside during their short time together on the tarmac. —

Adam Nagourney, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for animosity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animosity

Noun

International pressure is growing as the United Nations urged both sides to prevent a resurgence of hostilities.

— Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Soon, hundreds of thousands of Gazans would enter Israel daily for work, and Gaza's economy became tied to Israel's, but hostility persisted.

— Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025