Synonym Chooser

How does the noun animosity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of animosity are animus, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hostility, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

When can animus be used instead of animosity?

In some situations, the words animus and animosity are roughly equivalent. However, 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 animosity?

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 might enmity be a better fit than animosity?

The synonyms enmity and animosity are sometimes interchangeable, but enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

In what contexts can hostility take the place of animosity?

The words hostility and animosity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

When is it sensible to use rancor instead of animosity?

The words rancor and animosity 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 animosity McIntyre was a favorite but lost due to Priest's interference, further fueling their animosity. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 The Eagles, of course, are famously a band for whom harmonizing with the boys brought a certain amount of happiness, but never enough to quell inter-band animosity. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025 And while both players have said publicly there is no rivalry or animosity between them, there were fireworks when Clark committed a flagrant foul on Reese, and Reese had to be held back. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025 The monarch will be hoping to offer support to Canada in the face of Trump's comments, while simultaneously deflecting any animosity from Trump towards the U.K. Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for animosity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animosity
Noun
  • The hostility of the state intensified with the BBC's 100 Women list, and a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
    Mahrang Baloch, Time, 10 June 2025
  • The hostilities began when Trump lashed out at Musk's criticism of the Republican tax-cut and spending bill, and quickly escalated into an all-out online brawl on Trump's Truth Social and Musk's X, with prominent businessmen, analysts and political names weighing in on the fight.
    Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Author James Frey still has a grudge against Oprah Winfrey, nearly 15 years after the host confronted him for lying in his memoir on national TV.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 June 2025
  • Yet the company rolled him straight from the WrestleMania stage into Backlash and a main-event grudge with 45-year-old Randy Orton, the only rival old enough to remember chain-wrestling him in the Ohio Valley.
    Oliver Bateman, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • There is a strong sense of hatred toward Netanyahu, whose calls for the Iranian public to take this opportunity to rise up and overthrow their leaders are seemingly falling flat.
    NBC News, NBC news, 19 June 2025
  • Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Animosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animosity. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on animosity

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