: positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will
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Enmity and its synonyms "hostility," animosity, and animus all indicate deep-seated dislike or ill will. Enmity (which derives from an Anglo-French word meaning "enemy") suggests true hatred, either overt or concealed. Hostility implies strong, open enmity that shows itself in attacks or aggression. Animosity carries the sense of anger, vindictiveness, and sometimes the desire to destroy what one hates. Animus is generally less violent than animosity, but definitely conveys active prejudice 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 enmity in a Sentence
Bin Laden may no longer be supplying directions and funding, but his ethos of enmity lives on.—Michael Hirsh et al., Newsweek, 10 June 2002What has earned her the enmity of so many peers is her indiscriminate outspokenness.—Karen Springer, Newsweek, 10 June 1996Battles over slavery in the territories broke the second party system apart and then shaped a realigned system that emphasized sectional enmity.—Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988
There's a long history of enmity between them.
His comments earned him the enmity of his coworkers.
We need to put aside old enmities for the sake of peace.
Recent Examples on the WebEmploying his loyal vassal Mariko (Anna Sawai) as translator, Toranaga uses the sailor to learn more about the Western world, hoping to the turn the enmity between the Catholics and Protestants to his advantage in his battle with the Regents.—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2024 Oates made no overt mention to the lawsuit and enmity that has erupted between him and longtime professional partner Daryl Hall during his hourlong Q&A, held at the Austin Convention Center as part of the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enmity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enmity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English enmite, from Anglo-French enemité, enemisté, from enemi enemy
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