Synonyms of animus

animus

noun

ˈa-nə-məs 

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will

feeling no animus toward those who had wronged her

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Recent Examples of animus

Ireland showed its longstanding, if well-earned, animus toward Britain by choosing to be neutral during the Second World War—despite the depravity of Nazism. —Philip Metres august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025

In response, James' lawyer, Abbe Lowell, sent a letter to the Department of Justice arguing the accusations against James are meritless and motivated by Trump's personal animus towards James. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025

Greenbaum and Steele share highs and lows from the trip, one of the lows being a visit to a restaurant in Texas when the atmosphere took a dangerous turn as diner patrons displayed increasing animus towards Will and Harper. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2025

Gray’s case for freedom is particularly strong, his attorneys said, because there is good evidence that racial animus led to his conviction. —Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2025

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