Synonym Chooser

How does the noun antipathy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antipathy are animosity, animus, antagonism, 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 could animosity be used to replace antipathy?

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

animosity that led to revenge

When is animus a more appropriate choice than antipathy?

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

objections devoid of personal animus

When would enmity be a good substitute for antipathy?

Although the words enmity and antipathy have much in common, enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

When is it sensible to use hostility instead of antipathy?

The meanings of hostility and antipathy largely overlap; however, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

In what contexts can rancor take the place of antipathy?

While in some cases nearly identical to antipathy, 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 antipathy Farage, for his part, cites Trump as a populist role model, and shares the president-elect’s antipathy toward bodies such as the European Union. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024 But the party’s fortunes have since improved amid growing Canadian antipathy toward Trump and his policies. Olivia Kemp, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025 President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to enact mass deportations — and his famous antipathy toward Chicago — have girded local immigration activists for the immediate aftermath of his inauguration. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025 Thompson: Most surprising has been the antipathy of the mass media. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for antipathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antipathy
Noun
  • Over the nearly 20 months since the hostilities began, Colin Clarke said there has been a radicalization effect in the U.S., particularly of the political left.
    Odette Yousef, NPR, 28 May 2025
  • Opposition to the war became hostility toward our own military.
    Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • The absence of cloud cover that day exposed the Liberators even more to enemy fire.
    Linda Dudik, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
  • The team cites the cosmic horror vibes of movies like Prometheus and the encroaching threat of intimidating enemies such as the Zerg from StarCraft as key inspirations for the game world.
    David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • The fear this instills in I-Jing — already ignored by her busy mother, nor attended to by her mercurial older sister, I-Ann, who holds a grudge against her mother and rebels by working at a shady betel nut stand — sets off a secrets-unearthing chain of events.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 14 May 2025
  • Was Disney actually complicit in Ryan using shareholder revenues to further a personal grudge?
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The reactions from right-of-center publications divide into roughly four camps, aligning on a spectrum ranging from vocal approval to outright abhorrence.
    Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
  • Tolin doesn’t candy coat the animosity, helping children to understand how artists and Others continue to be misunderstood and how that lack of appreciation fuels abhorrence.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • No more tolerance of hatred, no more mercy for criminals.
    Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 28 May 2025
  • Antisemitism, hatred and terrorism must be stopped, lest our civilization fall into the abyss.
    Diane Gensler, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.
    Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Dec. 2024
  • One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024
Noun
  • Here’s how to help Distinguishing fear from anxiety disorders or phobias The first step in addressing an anxiety disorder or phobia is recognizing symptoms that fall outside the boundaries of a common fear.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
  • The study also found the phobia was more prevalent among women than men.
    Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Some of the latest Haliburton hate isn’t completely about him.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • During a media scrum with reporters, Reese was asked questions about the investigation and the hate comments.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Antipathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antipathy. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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