Synonym Chooser

How does the noun antagonism differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antagonism are animosity, animus, antipathy, enmity, hostility, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," 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 animosity a more appropriate choice than antagonism?

The words animosity and antagonism can be used in similar contexts, but animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

In what contexts can animus take the place of antagonism?

While the synonyms animus and antagonism are close in meaning, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

When could enmity be used to replace antagonism?

While in some cases nearly identical to antagonism, enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

Where would hostility be a reasonable alternative to antagonism?

Although the words hostility and antagonism have much in common, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

When would rancor be a good substitute for antagonism?

The meanings of rancor and antagonism largely overlap; however, 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 antagonism The unaccountable bureaucracy and bloated government that find a home there, and the public and private corruption that go along with them, face serious scrutiny and genuine antagonism for the first time in a while. Jack Butler, National Review, 2 Mar. 2025 And even though there’s a bit of antagonism, actually, the banter is quite fun. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025 Back in the loft, the two bantered, with more amiability than antagonism. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025 The ranks of mainland Chinese visitors coming to Japan nearly tripled last year to 7 million, chipping away at decades of antagonism between the countries and helping make 2024 a banner year for tourism. Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antagonism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonism
Noun
  • America’s first Black female doctor also faced open hostility from the white medical establishment.
    Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Despite frequent instances of both sides accusing one another of violating the truce, the elusive breakthrough led to the longest cessation of hostilities since the war began, as well as the release of 33 Israelis from Hamas captivity and nearly 2,000 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Trump has held a public, longstanding grudge against VOA, Politico noted.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
  • When Mia came onto the franchise, her ability to let insults roll off her back was an asset; a cast that holds grudges is the nail in the coffin for any franchise.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • What’s been really interesting to me about the Blake situation is how much of the hatred against her is coming from women.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Thanks to his efforts to take a chain saw to the federal government through DOGE, Elon Musk has attracted a level of ire from left-wing activists that now rivals their level of hatred for President Trump.
    The Editors, National Review, 24 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Antagonism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonism. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on antagonism

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