animosity

noun

an·​i·​mos·​i·​ty ˌa-nə-ˈmä-sə-tē 

plural animosities

: a strong feeling of dislike or hatred : ill will or resentment tending toward active hostility : an antagonistic attitude

Did you know?

Where does the word animosity come from?

The important Latin word animus (very closely related to anima) could mean a great many things having to do with the soul and the emotions, one of them being "anger". As an English word, animus has generally meant "ill will", so it isn't mysterious that animosity means basically the same thing. Animosity can exist between two people, two groups or organizations, or two countries, and can sometimes lie hidden for years before reappearing. The deep animosities that exist between certain ethnic and religious groups sometimes seem as if they will last forever.

Synonyms

• hostility
• grudge
• hatred
• bitterness

Choose the Right Synonym for animosity

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 animosity in a Sentence

Few rivalries can match that of the Cards and Cubs in terms of history, color and animosity. Things are tense in an off year, but in 2003 the teams are at the top of the National League Central division (along with the Houston Astros), separated by a half-game. —John Grisham, New York Times Book Review, 1 May 2005

As I get older, I have noticed the troubles many of my friends have with their fathers: the animosities and disappointments, held so long in the arrears of late adolescence, suddenly coming up due on both ends. But my father and I, if anything, have gotten closer, even as I understand him less and less. —Tom Bissell, Harper's, December 2004

What I did not anticipate, however, was the depth of animosity that had been simmering among the teachers beneath the pleasantries that characterized our public, formal encounters. I discovered that my enthusiastic advocacy for whole language was received by traditional teachers as demeaning, insulting attacks. —Elaine Garan, Language Arts, September 1998

We put aside our personal animosities so that we could work together.

his open animosity towards us made our meeting very uncomfortable

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether this animosity is genuine or simply Riddle attempting to generate buzz for a potential match remains unclear. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Belichick has shown animosity toward the Patriots’ organization since being named the head coach of the University of North Carolina. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025

But for Bronco Nation, and really for the team, games against the Mountain West’s other Silver State team, the Nevada Wolf Pack, can carry plenty of animosity. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025

Her relationship with her family is fraught, and not just because of her liberal politics; religious animosity, personal grudges, and class resentment all play a part. —Grace Byron, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English animosite, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French animosité, from Late Latin animositat-, animositas, from Latin animosus spirited, from animus — see animus

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for animosity

• curiosity
• generosity
• grandiosity
• nebulosity
• reciprocity
• tortuosity
• tuberosity
• virtuosity
• atrocity
• ferocity
• monstrosity
• pomposity

Kids Definition

animosity

noun

an·​i·​mos·​i·​ty ˌan-ə-ˈmäs-ət-ē 

plural animosities

: a feeling of dislike or hatred