enmity

noun

en·​mi·​ty ˈen-mə-tē 

plural enmities

: positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will

Did you know?

The resemblance between enmity and enemy is no coincidence: both words come from the Anglo-French word enemi, which literally translates to "enemy." And when you feel enmity for a particular person—that is, deep-seated dislike or ill will—"enemy" may very well be an apt descriptor for them. While it is possible to feel enmity for someone who does not share or return one’s animosity, enmity is typically used for mutual hatred or antagonism between people (or groups, factions, etc.), as when Edgar Allan Poe wrote of the families of Berlifitzing and Metzengerstein in his first published short story: "Never before were two houses so illustrious, mutually embittered by hostility so deadly. The origin of this enmity seems to be found in the words of an ancient prophecy—'A lofty name shall have a fearful fall ...'"

Synonyms

• hostility
• grudge
• hatred
• bitterness

Choose the Right Synonym for enmity

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 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 2002

What has earned her the enmity of so many peers is her indiscriminate outspokenness. —Karen Springer, Newsweek, 10 June 1996

Battles 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 Web

With Miguel Herrán and Arón Piper starring, Vivas’ historical drama examines ideological enmity confronted by shared hardship. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025

Julie, who joined Todd in the confessional interview, noted that the enmity between their eldest children hits particularly hard, given the loss of her brother Trey Hughes in 2002. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025

The final contest between Ali and Frazier was the culmination of a relationship that had begun in friendship but curdled into deep enmity, the decisive battle in a war that had become larger than the two men in the ring. —Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025

Too much of today’s public discourse, especially online, fosters enmity instead of empathy. —Russell M. Nelson, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enmite, from Anglo-French enemité, enemisté, from enemi enemy

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

enmity

noun

en·​mi·​ty ˈen-mət-ē 

plural enmities

: a very deep unfriendly feeling : hatred