animus

noun

ˈa-nə-məs How to pronounce animus (audio)
Definition of animusnext
as in hostility
a deep-seated ill will feeling no animus toward those who had wronged her

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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 animus The Houthis have a long-running animus against the Saudis, which began in 2015, months after the Houthis overran the Yemeni capital of Sanaa in 2014. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 Kosowski expressed animus for Cozzi as the civil proceedings stretched over years and plotted his murder for months before Cozzi disappeared in March 2023, prosecutors say. — Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 Several courts have found that the ban was likely rooted in animus and violates servicemembers constitutional rights to due process and equal protection – a conclusion the government strongly disputes. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Whether Tlaib is motivated by animus toward Moskowitz and Wasserman Schultz for their censure votes and condemnations of her rhetoric, or by support for their progressive opponents Larkin and Manley — or a combination — is unknown. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for animus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animus
  1. hostility
  2. grudge
  3. hatred
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
  • Compared with Vance’s and Hegseth’s grudges, though, Kushner’s concerns about the Continent run deep.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Both sides were aware that Acton’s mother carried a grudge against her daughter.
    — Karen Tumulty, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of grudge
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

Browse Nearby Words

animosity
animus
aniseikonia
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on animus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about animus

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