animus

noun

an·​i·​mus ˈa-nə-məs 

1

: a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will

harbored an animus toward them

… the sixties mentality, with its strong animus against what it defines as "elitism" …

—Daniel J. Singal

2

: basic attitude or governing spirit : disposition, intention

3

: an inner masculine part of the female personality in the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung compare anima

Did you know?

Animus has long referred to the rational or animating components of a person's psyche (it derives from Latin animus, which can mean "spirit," "mind," "courage," or "anger"). Since a key animating component of personality can be temper, the word came to mean animosity, especially ill will that is driven by strong prejudice. The term is also used in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung in reference to an inner masculine part of the female personality. The English animus is closely related to words such as animosity, magnanimous, and unanimous, but it is not as closely related to other similar-looking terms such as animal and animate. Those latter terms derive from the Latin anima, a distinct term that means "soul" or "breath" and that suggests someone's physical vitality or life force—the breath of life.

Synonyms of animus

• hostility
• grudge
• hatred

Choose the Right Synonym for animus

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will.

enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

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

animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

Examples of animus in a Sentence

She felt an animus against them.

feeling no animus toward those who had wronged her

Recent Examples on the Web

Authorities are investigating an Iranian animus as one possibility, as Tehran has previously indicated that any base used to attack its territory is a legitimate target. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2026

The Houthis have a long-running animus against the Saudis, which began in 2015, months after the Houthis overran the Yemeni capital of Sanaa in 2014. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Kosowski expressed animus for Cozzi as the civil proceedings stretched over years and plotted his murder for months before Cozzi disappeared in March 2023, prosecutors say. — Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026

Several courts have found that the ban was likely rooted in animus and violates servicemembers constitutional rights to due process and equal protection – a conclusion the government strongly disputes. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, spirit, mind, courage, anger

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for animus

• magnanimous
• unanimous
• pusillanimous

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Medical Definition

animus

noun

an·​i·​mus ˈan-ə-məs 

: an inner masculine part of the female personality in the analytical psychology of C. G. Jung compare anima sense 1

Legal Definition

animus

noun

an·​i·​mus ˈa-nə-məs 

: intent

discriminatory animus

compare mens rea

Etymology

Latin, mind, soul