: positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will
Did you know?
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.
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 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 2002What has earned her the enmity of so many peers is her indiscriminate outspokenness.—Karen Springer, Newsweek, 10 June 1996Battles 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
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.
The isle of Berk is an isolated, faraway land where the Vikings and dragons have been at enmity with one another for generations.—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 12 June 2025 The flaming comet of enmity that streaked through the national conversation Thursday was spectacular.—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 5 June 2025 Yet despite their history of enmity, Tehran and Washington have shown consistent, mutual interest in a deal since Trump’s return to the White House.—Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025 Enrichment remains key in negotiations The talks seek to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic, closing in on half a century of enmity.—Giada Zampano, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for enmity
Word History
Etymology
Middle English enmite, from Anglo-French enemité, enemisté, from enemi enemy
Share