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

as in hostility

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

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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 But that doesn’t mean the animosity toward their former head coach in Oxford has to simmer down before kickoff. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 There’s animosity between the programs that dates back to Iowa declining to schedule Iowa State from 1935 until 1977, and every few years something pops up that gets under one another’s skin. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The animosity between Carter and Evel Knievel (played by Ben Foster) was mostly for show but is upped in Dowse’s film for dramatic purposes. — Jennie Punter, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026 The animosity between de Moraes and Mendonca has only grown since. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for animosity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animosity

Noun

That does not mean that everyone who supports a ban is motivated by hostility toward women.

— Jesse Rhodes, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Weil offers an extreme version of this hostility to the self.

— James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

The rioters waved the Confederate flag, a clear symbol of racist hatred.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
At least one person was killed and four people were injured in a shooting near Paris that may have been motivated by Islamophobic hatred, French officials say.

— Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

But few, if any, can match the tradition, scale, and bitterness of the yearly clash between Alabama and Tennessee on the third Saturday in October.

— Austin Evans, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2026
Written with a reporter’s sharp eye for detail and a remarkable lack of anger or bitterness, this is a compelling story of courage and grace.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitterness

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“Animosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animosity. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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