as in hostility
a deep-seated ill will
enmity had existed between the two families for generations
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Recent Examples of enmity
The enmity is just as strong here, and the passion too.
—
James McNicholas, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Indignation in the face of injustice, yes—but not enmity.
—Emily Chamlee-Wright, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Winslow’s notable public enmity toward the current president, whose name will not cross his lips today, has been evident ever since the two-time destroyer of worlds first sought power.
—Fred Schruers, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
Indeed, their body language and working relationship belies nothing of the boorish, antagonistic dynamic between Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose enmity risked lives (as when Cuomo held up a mass Covid vaccine site in New York due to his beef with de Blasio).
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enmity
James McNicholas, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Indignation in the face of injustice, yes—but not enmity.
—Emily Chamlee-Wright, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Winslow’s notable public enmity toward the current president, whose name will not cross his lips today, has been evident ever since the two-time destroyer of worlds first sought power.
—Fred Schruers, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
Indeed, their body language and working relationship belies nothing of the boorish, antagonistic dynamic between Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose enmity risked lives (as when Cuomo held up a mass Covid vaccine site in New York due to his beef with de Blasio).
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enmity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enmity
Noun
-
More than half a century of Cold War hostilities were thawing.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The goal of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel is to end hostilities and the occupation of southern Lebanon, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement today.—
Will Clark,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The witness said Safi had been upset for weeks, but employees at the store told police Safi held a grudge against them for years, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Having set Coel’s grudge-nurturing immovable object and Hathaway’s in-crisis irresistible force on a collision course, the film proceeds to let the former batter the latter with a mix of acidic banter, passive-aggressive comments masked as curiosity, and compli-sults that cut bone.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Here was a player who had without doubt suffered more abuse and more taunts and more hatred than any player in the history of the game.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
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Well, maybe that hatred of losing — truly not accepting it, and confronting others who are OK with it — is the pathway to winning.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Acidic liquids can tame that bitterness.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
After bitterness, a little sweetness is in order.—
Michelle Huneven,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enmity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enmity. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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