ANIMOSITIES 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 Japan and China normalized diplomatic ties in 1972, ending war animosities. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 Now, Wells’ family members and friends have received both animosity and support, with many strangers taking sides and leaving a mark beyond online commentary. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 Despite the animosity, Ben & Jerry’s is Magnum’s best-performing brand. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Thorne and Zendaya exchanged notes and realized the animosity between them wasn’t coming from either one. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for animosity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animosity

Noun

The Soviet Union took them from Japan in the final days of World War II, and the dispute has kept the countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their hostilities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were already at loggerheads over Syria, with Saudi Arabia backing the post-Assad regime and the UAE sharing Israel’s hostility to it, and Yemen, where Saudi Arabia had just driven out Emirati proxies.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Sure, Rand Paul has a personal grudge against him, but Paul is crazier than a sh–house rat.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Christian, convinced a nobleman had done it, had the man executed without much proof, a grudge that helped cost him his crown a few years later.

— Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

Christian leaders, along with the mayor of Dearborn and the chief of police, came together Monday afternoon to send out a message of unity against hatred.

— Heath Kalb, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Ungodlike thoughts and their outcomes are not negated just by trying not to think about evil, mistakes, disease, hatred, lack, sorrow, etc.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

Little united the Syrian rebels during the country’s civil war from 2011 to 2024 outside of their hatred of Assad, and Damascus has sought to cultivate this memory of bitterness to keep the country’s disparate groups together.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026
The tea supplies tannins and bitterness while maple and orange recreate that familiar balance of sweet, bitter and citrus.

— Ryan Brennan August 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of bitterness

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“Animosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animosity. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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