Synonym Chooser

How does the noun animosity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of animosity are animus, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hostility, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

When can animus be used instead of animosity?

In some situations, the words animus and animosity are roughly equivalent. However, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

How are the words antipathy and antagonism related as synonyms of animosity?

Both 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

When might enmity be a better fit than animosity?

The synonyms enmity and animosity are sometimes interchangeable, but enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

In what contexts can hostility take the place of animosity?

The words hostility and animosity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

When is it sensible to use rancor instead of animosity?

The words rancor and animosity can be used in similar contexts, but rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of animosity This was designed to create maximum animosity from the passionate live crowd. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 Recent surveys indicate that the animosity has levelled off. Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025 These days, both chambers are bubbling cauldrons of animosity and partisan backbiting. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025 Those writings are being investigated as a motive of animosity Wohl had toward judges, police and prosecutors, according to Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Taylor Holland. Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for animosity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animosity
Noun
  • In our experience we were met with outright hostility for our Christian beliefs.
    BJ, Denver Post, 3 July 2025
  • But these weaknesses stem largely from underfunding and political hostility – not from any intrinsic flaw in the model.
    Sumit Agarwal, The Conversation, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • And that is not to say that sometimes that anger wasn’t righteous, and sometimes those grudges weren’t deserved.
    Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Alongside impossibly strong grannies, Dana must also contend with a dangerous prisoner now enjoying some posthumous freedom and a gun-toting drug dynasty with one almighty grudge.
    Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • It's been very difficult to see just how much of this hatred has been normalized.
    Leila Fadel, NPR, 1 July 2025
  • Period drama enthusiasts will be interested to know that Wright set the movie in the late-18th century instead of the early-19th century in part because of his hatred of empire waist dresses.
    Lia Beck, EW.com, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Animosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animosity. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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