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 Fox News followed in 1996 as a conservative-focused TV outlet, stoking antipathy toward liberal points of view. Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 The president’s antipathy for wind power precedes his time in the White House. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 Stirring up antipathy is always going to be an occupational hazard for people who study misinformation, rumors, pseudoscience and quackery. F.d. Flam, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024 During President-elect Donald Trump's first four years in office, Kennedy Center officials were forced to walk a public tightrope between the tradition of the president attending the ceremony and the open antipathy toward Trump from multiple honorees. Ashraf Khalil The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for antipathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antipathy
Noun
  • Intentionally directing attacks against civilian infrastructure and civilians who are not directly taking part in hostilities is considered a war crime under international law.
    Clarissa Ward, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Even small shifts can build rapport and defuse hostility.
    Diana Lowe, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Signal’s President Meredith Whittaker Shares What’s Next for the Private Messaging App Over the last few years, Signal has been used by dissidents and protestors around the world who want to keep their conversations safe from political enemies or law enforcement.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
  • For entrepreneurs, perfection is the enemy of getting started, gaining traction, and ultimately building a successful business on what might be a great idea waiting for execution.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 26 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
  • 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
  • One point that has been made is that President Trump, like President Reagan before him, has an abhorrence of nuclear weapons and would like to pursue a policy of denuclearization.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Venerable baby boomer Kevin Bacon plays the titular bounty hunter Hub Halloran, a proud Georgia man with little tolerance for tomfoolery and a hatred of the Red Sox.
    Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Even if those two men didn’t make it out of Europe alive, the unspeakable acts carried out in the name of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich would still live on in infamy, reminding humanity what blind hatred and xenophobia could lead to if a society wasn’t careful.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Much of Trump’s detestation of the Hollywood establishment is of course performative, one more nemesis to cast in his Sorkinian screenplay.
    Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
  • 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
Noun
  • In the military Hackman served as a DJ and newscaster for his unit’s radio station, despite a phobia about microphones.
    Carmel Dagan, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Maybe your motive was to overcome a particular phobia, say, or heal from a really bad breakup.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • On March 16, the singer opened up on Instagram Stories about his journey toward letting go of hate.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2025
  • To me, one of the things that's important for our ability to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate is having strong democratic institutions.
    Kaity Kline, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Antipathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antipathy. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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