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 rancor in a Sentence
She answered her accusers calmly and without rancor.
In the end, the debate created a degree of rancor among the committee members.
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The partisan rancor runs far deeper than simply assigning fault for Kirk’s death.—Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025 However, Kashkari gave no indication there was rancor in the meeting room.—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025 In this interview, which has been edited for length, Grumet bemoaned the partisan rancor surrounding the energy debate.—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 Adding to the rancor among opponents of the project is the fact that the building would have 22 stories and stand 239 feet tall.—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rancor
Word History
Etymology
Middle English rancour, from Anglo-French rancur, from Late Latin rancor rancidity, rancor, from Latin rancēre
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