Synonyms of antipathy

antipathy

noun

an-ˈti-pə-thē 

1

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will

I feel no antipathy towards any of my opponents in the tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in enemy

something or someone that is hated

cruelty to animals is one of my most deeply felt antipathies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enemy
• abhorrence
• detestation
• phobia
• hate
• aversion
• adversary
• abomination
• anathema
• bête noire
• execration
• dread
• bogy
• nuisance
• bugaboo
• bugbear
• annoyance
• grievance
• horror
• bogie
• hang-up
• bogey
• peeve
• hassle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• beloved
• dear
• joy
• honey
• pleasure
• enjoyment
• darling
• delight
• preference
• sweetheart
• favorite
• felicity
• treasure
• like

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun antipathy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antipathy are animosity, animus, antagonism, 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 could animosity be used to replace antipathy?

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

animosity that led to revenge

When is animus a more appropriate choice than antipathy?

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

objections devoid of personal animus

When would enmity be a good substitute for antipathy?

Although the words enmity and antipathy have much in common, enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

When is it sensible to use hostility instead of antipathy?

The meanings of hostility and antipathy largely overlap; however, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

In what contexts can rancor take the place of antipathy?

While in some cases nearly identical to antipathy, rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of antipathy

Thompson: Most surprising has been the antipathy of the mass media. —IEEE Spectrum, 18 Dec. 2024

Netanyahu, in short, is not as popular as his antipathies. —Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025

Notably the administration has been silent on its intentions towards China, which strikes me as odd given that many members of the administration are united in their antipathy towards America’s geostrategic rivalry (Marco Rubio for example published ‘The World China Made’). —Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

Philly Republicans appear unlikely to field any candidates despite recent GOP gains and the party's antipathy toward Democratic incumbent Larry Krasner. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025