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Enmity and its synonyms "hostility," animosity, and animus all indicate deep-seated dislike or ill will. Enmity (which derives from an Anglo-French word meaning "enemy") suggests true hatred, either overt or concealed. Hostility implies strong, open enmity that shows itself in attacks or aggression. Animosity carries the sense of anger, vindictiveness, and sometimes the desire to destroy what one hates. Animus is generally less violent than animosity, but definitely conveys active prejudice or ill will.
Examples of enmity in a Sentence
Bin Laden may no longer be supplying directions and funding, but his ethos of enmity lives on.
—
Michael Hirsh et al., Newsweek, 10 June 2002
What has earned her the enmity of so many peers is her indiscriminate outspokenness.
—Karen Springer, Newsweek, 10 June 1996
Battles over slavery in the territories broke the second party system apart and then shaped a realigned system that emphasized sectional enmity.
—Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988
There's a long history of enmity between them.
His comments earned him the enmity of his coworkers.
We need to put aside old enmities for the sake of peace.
Michael Hirsh et al., Newsweek, 10 June 2002
What has earned her the enmity of so many peers is her indiscriminate outspokenness.
—Karen Springer, Newsweek, 10 June 1996
Battles over slavery in the territories broke the second party system apart and then shaped a realigned system that emphasized sectional enmity.
—Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988
There's a long history of enmity between them.
His comments earned him the enmity of his coworkers.
We need to put aside old enmities for the sake of peace.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, enmity certainly looked like the consensus − public − wisdom on Russia during the Biden administration.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
The enmity between Carter and Kennedy, two of the most important Democratic political figures of their generation, continued throughout their lives.
—Scott Kraft, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
The townspeople’s friendships, romances, and enmities are tangible ways to understand what’s going on here, and their complex bonds help amplify the show’s life-and-death stakes.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
Editors’ Picks The Forgotten Writers Who Influenced Jane Austen
Many Ukrainians have cheered Mr. Zelensky for standing up to Mr. Trump, even if the personal enmity has become an impediment.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enmity
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Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
The enmity between Carter and Kennedy, two of the most important Democratic political figures of their generation, continued throughout their lives.
—Scott Kraft, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
The townspeople’s friendships, romances, and enmities are tangible ways to understand what’s going on here, and their complex bonds help amplify the show’s life-and-death stakes.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
Editors’ Picks The Forgotten Writers Who Influenced Jane Austen
Many Ukrainians have cheered Mr. Zelensky for standing up to Mr. Trump, even if the personal enmity has become an impediment.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enmity
Cite this Entry
“Enmity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enmity. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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