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 Thorne and Zendaya exchanged notes and realized the animosity between them wasn’t coming from either one. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026 Instead, sources familiar with the situation pointed to Trump’s history of dropping past animosity with Republicans who appease him as one reason Pirro still has a shot of lasting beyond this week’s tenuous moment. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 4 Aug. 2026 At the height of the animosity between UEFA and FIFA, there were outward displays of tension. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 31 July 2026 William Frawley and Vivian Vance formed the perfect counterpart to Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball — and their affectionate animosity became a television legend all its own. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for animosity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animosity

Noun

Iran doubled down on its demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, insisting that the US and its allies unfreeze its assets and end hostilities across the region.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
As the specter of rising interest rates and hostilities in the Middle East remain wildcards, skeptics are holding firm.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

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
Lynn Rogers, who served as Kelly’s first lieutenant governor and was later appointed state treasurer, said Lawrence is somebody who holds onto grudges.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

The is mostly a political one that the far-right uses to stoke prejudice and hatred against a community already victimized by that and bullying.

— Greg Cote August 9, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
Nordic noir suggests the presence of violence and hatred beneath the tranquillity and order of the Scandinavian welfare state, just as Southern noir peels back hospitality and charm to reveal repressed family secrets and moral decay.

— Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of animosity

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