Synonyms of antagonism

antagonism

noun

an-ˈta-gə-ˌni-zəm 

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will

the antagonism between them was so bad they couldn't even sit near each other

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun antagonism differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antagonism are animosity, animus, antipathy, enmity, hostility, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," 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 is animosity a more appropriate choice than antagonism?

The words animosity and antagonism can be used in similar contexts, but animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

In what contexts can animus take the place of antagonism?

While the synonyms animus and antagonism are close in meaning, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

When could enmity be used to replace antagonism?

While in some cases nearly identical to antagonism, enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

Where would hostility be a reasonable alternative to antagonism?

Although the words hostility and antagonism have much in common, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

When would rancor be a good substitute for antagonism?

The meanings of rancor and antagonism largely overlap; however, rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of antagonism

That enthusiasm has died down amid mutual antagonism. —Youyou Zhou, Washington Post, 14 May 2026

The tension between the couple, contrasted with their joint antagonism towards the devious narrator, is hilarious. —Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026

As ideological blocs collapsed, political scientist Samuel Huntington’s influential 1996 book Clash of Civilizations articulated a growing anxiety that globalization would harden into cultural antagonism rather than consensus. —Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026

All the while, Oh and Comer’s slow dance of antagonism crossed with infatuation is some of the most thrilling acting in recent television memory. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026