animosity

noun

an·i·mos·i·ty | \ ˌa-nə-ˈmä-sə-tē

plural animosities

Definition of animosity

: a strong feeling of dislike or hatred : ill will or resentment tending toward active hostility : an antagonistic attitude

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Where does the word animosity come from? Example Sentences Learn More about animosity

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Choose the Right Synonym for animosity

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will. enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed. an unspoken enmity hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression. hostility between the two nations 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 animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility. animosity that led to revenge rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong. rancor filled every line of his letters animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice. objections devoid of personal animus

Where does the word animosity come from?

The important Latin word animus (very closely related to anima) could mean a great many things having to do with the soul and the emotions, one of them being "anger". As an English word, animus has generally meant "ill will", so it isn't mysterious that animosity means basically the same thing. Animosity can exist between two people, two groups or organizations, or two countries, and can sometimes lie hidden for years before reappearing. The deep animosities that exist between certain ethnic and religious groups sometimes seem as if they will last forever.

Examples of animosity in a Sentence

Few rivalries can match that of the Cards and Cubs in terms of history, color and animosity. Things are tense in an off year, but in 2003 the teams are at the top of the National League Central division (along with the Houston Astros), separated by a half-game. — John Grisham, New York Times Book Review, 1 May 2005 As I get older, I have noticed the troubles many of my friends have with their fathers: the animosities and disappointments, held so long in the arrears of late adolescence, suddenly coming up due on both ends. But my father and I, if anything, have gotten closer, even as I understand him less and less. — Tom Bissell, Harper's, December 2004 What I did not anticipate, however, was the depth of animosity that had been simmering among the teachers beneath the pleasantries that characterized our public, formal encounters. I discovered that my enthusiastic advocacy for whole language was received by traditional teachers as demeaning, insulting attacks. — Elaine Garan, Language Arts, September 1998 We put aside our personal animosities so that we could work together. his open animosity towards us made our meeting very uncomfortable

Recent Examples on the Web

As relations improved last year, Kim and Moon agreed on several deals aimed at reducing animosity at the border. — Washington Post, "DMZ, where Trump met Kim, is a vestige of Cold War," 30 June 2019 The All-Pro running back is still holding out over a bitter contract dispute, causing some animosity among his teammates. — Rob Maaddi, The Seattle Times, "Week 1 ICYMI: No loss for Browns, but no win either," 10 Sep. 2018 But their relationship seems to be built on immense mutual respect and, possibly even friendship, rather than anything even close to hatred or animosity. — SI.com, "Cristiano Ronaldo States He'd Like to Have Dinner With Lionel Messi in Incredible Joint Interview," 29 Aug. 2019 Intimations of a deal avoiding further animosity reverberate as a clarion call to buy, sending share prices higher while easing worries about a potential global economic downturn. — Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, "Trump Can Battle China or Expand the Economy. He Can’t Do Both.," 26 Aug. 2019 Unpopular project Coastal Alabama lawmakers remained pressured to act on the state’s toll plan amid growing animosity on social media toward it. — al, "Will coastal lawmakers get to vote on I-10 toll plan?," 22 Aug. 2019 The emirate maintains cordial relationships with all three of those antagonists, allowing it to deepen economic ties with Iraq without arousing suspicion or animosity. — Bobby Ghosh, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: Iraq and Kuwait are beginning a beautiful friendship," 18 Aug. 2019 Ross, as Stills noted in a tweet, is also the man who established RISE — the Ross Initiative in Sports and Equality — a non-profit that pledges to eradicate the type of racial animosity that Trump fuels. — Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, "Opinion: Activist and Trump critic Kenny Stills is the kind of player every NFL team needs," 7 Aug. 2019 Sedrick Irvin, another running back on that team, recalls some animosity, though Rivers said there was a different root cause. — Freep.com, "20 years ago, Barry Sanders retired and 'all hell broke loose'," 21 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'animosity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for animosity

animosity

noun

an·i·mos·i·ty | \ ˌa-nə-ˈmä-sə-tē

plural animosities

Kids Definition of animosity

: dislike entry 1, hatred

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animosity

Definition of animosity

Synonyms & Antonyms for animosity

Choose the Right Synonym for animosity

Where does the word animosity come from?

Examples of animosity in a Sentence

First Known Use of animosity

History and Etymology for animosity

Kids Definition of animosity

animosity

Definition of animosity

Synonyms & Antonyms for animosity

Choose the Right Synonym for animosity

Where does the word animosity come from?

Examples of animosity in a Sentence

First Known Use of animosity

History and Etymology for animosity

Kids Definition of animosity

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