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 Spice is added to the battle between the two clubs from the antipathy between Brighton’s owner-chairman Tony Bloom and his Brentford counterpart, Matthew Benham. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 12 May 2025 The data suggest the public, including majorities of Republicans, do not embrace the antipathy the president has expressed towards those trading partners. Steve Liesman, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025 But the internet encourages the transformation of antipathy into creative fodder, and enables its dissemination. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025 Trump has already demonstrated his antipathy to free and fair elections that don’t result in his victory. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antipathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antipathy
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
  • Intense hostility all around means that for now, neither Russia nor China is even willing to sit down to discuss nuclear restraints, in treaty form or otherwise.
    Matthew Bunn, The Conversation, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • In the American Revolution, soldiers had to face down the East Coast’s uncompromising climate in addition to their enemies.
    Ken Burns, USA Today, 18 June 2025
  • As soon as the gunfight starts, the audience knows who the enemies are.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 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
  • Holly hits the road with the activist and brings along a gun, despite her deep need to be near her home and her abhorrence of weapons.
    Maren Longbella, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
  • 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
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
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
  • Even Heinz made a joke on social media last year about the superstar’s phobia, posting a photo of a bottle of ketchup labeled Heinz 97 (referencing McDavid’s jersey number) — instead of the traditional Heinz 57 label on the bottle.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
  • Noise-sensitive dogs, particularly breeds like border collies and Australian shepherds, may have a genetic predisposition to noise phobias.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • There is never a place for this kind of political hate.
    Audrey Conklin , Bill Melugin , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Matt Finn, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2025
  • Wade doesn’t allow hate to change his parenting approach.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 15 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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