Synonyms of animosity

animosity

noun

ˌa-nə-ˈmä-sə-tē 

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will

his open animosity towards us made our meeting very uncomfortable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hostility
• grudge
• hatred
• bitterness
• enmity
• antagonism
• tension
• feud
• rancor
• antipathy
• animus
• friction
• malice
• jaundice
• bad blood
• gall
• discord
• vindictiveness
• vendetta
• alienation
• hate
• loathing
• disaffection
• conflict
• virulence
• blood feud
• vitriol
• estrangement
• score
• spite
• unfriendliness
• malignity
• venom
• coolness
• malignancy
• spitefulness
• strain
• inhospitableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amity
• friendliness
• cordiality
• hospitality
• friendship
• sympathy
• civility
• neighborliness
• amiability
• understanding
• empathy
• goodwill
• comity
• amicability

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

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