antipathy

noun

an·​tip·​a·​thy an-ˈti-pə-thē 

plural antipathies

1

: a strong feeling of dislike

an antipathy to taxes

a deep antipathy between the groups

2

: something disliked : an object of aversion

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

—Charles Dickens

3

obsolete : opposition in feeling

Synonyms of antipathy

• hostility
• grudge
• hatred
• bitterness

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

The difference is Netflix had, at best, an antipathy towards the theatrical experience. —Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026

The president’s antipathy for Mueller was on full display throughout the course of the Russia investigation, with Mueller – whose tenure as FBI director ended well before Trump took office – brought out of retirement by Trump’s own Justice Department to serve as special counsel. —Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

Saeedi / Getty Images In Britain, Starmer must also factor in his own voters’ dislike of the American-Israeli assault on Iran (59% against and 25% for, according to YouGov) and their long-standing antipathy toward Trump himself, whose net favorability in the United Kingdom is currently at minus 65. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026

But the government’s antipathy toward EVs isn’t done yet. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 23 Mar. 2026

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

Kids Definition

antipathy

noun

an·​tip·​a·​thy an-ˈtip-ə-thē 

plural antipathies

1

: a strong dislike

2

: 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

1

: settled aversion or dislike

2

: an object of aversion

antipathic

ˌant-i-ˈpath-ik 

adjective