Synonyms of enmity

enmity

noun

ˈen-mə-tē 

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will

enmity had existed between the two families for generations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Recent Examples of enmity

Authoritarian regimes the world over have relied on enmities, real or fancied, to suppress their own people. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025

Despite the public enmity between the two, Newsom reached out to the White House in hopes of working together on the creation of a $7.5-billion federal tax incentive to keep more productions in the U.S. Hollywood insiders have wanted a federal tax incentive program all along. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025

The stakes of the negotiations couldn't be higher for the two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. —Arkansas Online, 13 Apr. 2025

In the decades since, Iran-U.S. relations have see-sawed between enmity and grudging diplomacy, with relations peaking when Tehran made the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers before Trump withdrew from the deal, sparking more tensions in the Mideast that persist today. —Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025

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