Synonym Chooser

How does the noun enmity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of enmity are animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, hostility, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

In what contexts can animosity take the place of enmity?

The meanings of animosity and enmity largely overlap; however, animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

When is it sensible to use animus instead of enmity?

While in some cases nearly identical to enmity, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

How are the words antipathy and antagonism related as synonyms of enmity?

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 is hostility a more appropriate choice than enmity?

While the synonyms hostility and enmity are close in meaning, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

Where would rancor be a reasonable alternative to enmity?

The words rancor and enmity can be used in similar contexts, but rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of enmity While there’s no love triangle, The Long Walk treats its allegiances and enmities with a grandeur that rivals any romance, especially the connection between its hero, Ray Garraty (Cooper Hoffman), and his friend Peter McVries (David Jonsson). Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 With none willing to stand in the face of enmity, spite and oppression, Jerusalem was destroyed. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 In this case, Jones earned the enmity coming his way from the team’s fans. Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2025 The striking shift in tone — from enmity to friendliness — is impossible to ignore. Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enmity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enmity
Noun
  • For example, in a fiery defense of federal aid to the citizens of Alabama and Georgia devastated by recent Native American hostilities, Adams invoked Congress’s war powers, while calling attention to a deeper hypocrisy.
    Time, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Even countries like Iran, which have long used the Palestinian cause as a pretext for hostility, would now face a diplomatic reckoning.
    Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Darkly funny and deeply melancholic, the film turns the family estate into a pressure cooker of grief, grudges and reluctant affection.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
  • After Abe’s assassination in 2022 by a suspect who said he was motivated by a grudge against the church, an internal survey in the LDP later found that nearly half of the party’s members had links to it.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And hatred rather than ideology is the animating force?
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • More violence, more anger, more hatred.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The examples of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where life after revolution is replete with bitterness and recrimination, are profoundly discouraging.
    Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Blessed with tender skins and jammy interiors, fresh figs can offset the tang of tomatoes and bitterness of salad greens.
    Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enmity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enmity. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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