antipathy

noun

an·tip·a·thy an-ˈti-pə-thē

plural antipathies

Synonyms of antipathy

: a strong feeling of dislike

an antipathy to taxes

a deep antipathy between the groups

: something disliked : an object of aversion

… perhaps his greatest antipathies were cabs, old women, doors that would not shut …—Charles Dickens

obsolete : opposition in feeling

Choose the Right Synonym for antipathy

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will.

enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

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

animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

Examples of antipathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Fanning the flames of the drama was the mutual antipathy between the couples. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026 Both Erica and the Gorn overcame their antipathy. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025 The other is that Republicans’ antipathy towards vote-by-mail is waning. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026 The results suggest that the far-right antipathy to Shreve is a genuine threat when successfully mobilized. — Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for antipathy

Word History

Etymology

Latin antipathia, from Greek antipatheia, from antipathēs of opposite feelings, from anti- + pathos experience — more at pathos

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler

The first known use of antipathy was in 1592

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

antipathize

antipathy

antipatriotic

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Antipathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antipathy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

antipathy

noun

an·tip·a·thy an-ˈtip-ə-thē

plural antipathies

: a strong dislike

: a person or thing that arouses strong dislike

antipathetic

ˌant-i-pə-ˈthet-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

antipathy

noun

an·tip·a·thy an-ˈtip-ə-thē

plural antipathies

: settled aversion or dislike

: an object of aversion

antipathic

ˌant-i-ˈpath-ik

adjective

antipathy

noun

Synonyms of antipathy

Examples of antipathy in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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