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

Through all of the animosity from the crowd, one that Matthews noted as particularly hostile, the up-and-down nature of the game and the spotlight Chesney brought to his team, the players appeared to be collected and poised. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Damascus’s challenge is to use the dividends from its newfound importance in regional trade to build functioning institutions, distribute resources for recovery, and overcome historical animosities. — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Trump has increasingly used his animosity toward the press to seek action by the FCC, which controls broadcast licensing. — Jeff Mason, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Knight paid Shakur’s bail and signed him to Death Row Records in Los Angeles, absorbing his artist’s growing animosity toward Combs, Wallace and their Bad Boy Records circle in New York. — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026