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
• hate
• phobia
• aversion
• adversary
• abomination
• anathema
• bête noire
• execration
• dread
• nuisance
• bugaboo
• bugbear
• grievance
• annoyance
• horror
• 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

The antipathy toward Scherzer stemmed less from his years of excellence as a Dodgers opponent and more from his brief stint on the team in 2021. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025

Having the President of the United States have personal antipathy for an electron generating technology is just ... unusual. —Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

Both Erica and the Gorn overcame their antipathy. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025

Kennedy has expressed personal antipathy toward the Moderna and Pfizer shots, calling them dangerous and unreliable. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 13 Aug. 2025