ANIMUS Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of animus are animosity , antagonism , antipathy , enmity , hostility , and rancor . While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice. // objections devoid of personal animus

Q: When is 'animosity' a more appropriate choice than 'animus'?

The synonyms animosity and animus are sometimes interchangeable, but animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility. // animosity that led to revenge

Q: How do 'antipathy' and 'antagonism' relate to one another, in the sense of 'animus'?

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 would 'enmity' be a good substitute for 'animus'?

The words enmity and animus can be used in similar contexts, but enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed. // an unspoken enmity

Q: When might 'hostility' be a better fit than 'animus'?

While in some cases nearly identical to animus , 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 'animus'?

While the synonyms rancor and animus are close in meaning, rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong. // rancor filled every line of his letters

animus

noun

ˈa-nə-məs

Definition of animus next

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will feeling no animus toward those who had wronged her

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How does the noun animus differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of animus are animosity, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hostility, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

When is animosity a more appropriate choice than animus?

The synonyms animosity and animus are sometimes interchangeable, but animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

How do antipathy and antagonism relate to one another, in the sense of animus?

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 would enmity be a good substitute for animus?

The words enmity and animus can be used in similar contexts, but enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

When might hostility be a better fit than animus?

While in some cases nearly identical to animus, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

When is it sensible to use rancor instead of animus?

While the synonyms rancor and animus are close in meaning, rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

Examples 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 animus Attempts to legitimize racial animus have a clear purpose. —

Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2024 No matter the personal animus or alleged fraud, there has always ultimately been a peaceful transfer of power in the nation’s highest office. —

Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Aug. 2024 Despite the narrowing gap in their abilities, the relationship between the pair, who are of similar ages and backgrounds, bears little of the animus that often characterizes rivalries among elite performers. —

Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 29 July 2024 Such extreme animus was amply demonstrated by Manago’s outrageous charges against the Jewish state of Israel. —

Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for animus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animus

Noun

The spike in homophobia and homophobic violence has led Ivorian gay communities and human rights groups to express concerns that the hostility could endanger the country's reputation for comparative tolerance.

Tess Foley-Cox, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, international alarm has arisen over the hostilities taking place around southern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP), which Russia captured at the start of the war.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024