Synonym Chooser

How does the noun animus differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of animus are animosity, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hostility, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

When is animosity a more appropriate choice than animus?

The synonyms animosity and animus are sometimes interchangeable, but animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

How do antipathy and antagonism relate to one another, in the sense of animus?

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 would enmity be a good substitute for animus?

The words enmity and animus can be used in similar contexts, but enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

When might hostility be a better fit than animus?

While in some cases nearly identical to animus, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

When is it sensible to use rancor instead of animus?

While the synonyms rancor and animus are close in meaning, 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 animus The State of Colorado has a long history of anti-Christian animus. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 23 May 2025 But much of the racist animus directed at Black stars like Angel Reese has also come back with it. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025 The South African government has stridently denied allegations of systemic racial animus, as has a coalition of white religious leaders in the region that includes many Anglicans. Jack Jenkins, NPR, 12 May 2025 How is that anything other than showing animus? ... Anna Commander gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for animus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animus
Noun
  • Fu also singled out Israel and called for efforts to bring an end to the hostilities.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 23 June 2025
  • Recent Market Performance Since the start of the current Israel-Iran hostilities on June 13, the S&P 500 has been 1.2% lower.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Author James Frey still has a grudge against Oprah Winfrey, nearly 15 years after the host confronted him for lying in his memoir on national TV.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 June 2025
  • Yet the company rolled him straight from the WrestleMania stage into Backlash and a main-event grudge with 45-year-old Randy Orton, the only rival old enough to remember chain-wrestling him in the Ohio Valley.
    Oliver Bateman, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • There is a strong sense of hatred toward Netanyahu, whose calls for the Iranian public to take this opportunity to rise up and overthrow their leaders are seemingly falling flat.
    NBC News, NBC news, 19 June 2025
  • Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Animus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animus. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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