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Synonyms

animosity

American  
[an-uh-mos-i-tee] / ˌæn əˈmɒs ɪ ti /

noun

plural

animosities

  1. a feeling of strong dislike, ill will, or enmity that tends to display itself in action.

    a deep-seated animosity between two sisters; animosity against one's neighbor.
    Synonyms:
    hatred, animus, antagonism, opposition, unfriendliness, hostility
animosity British  
/ ˌænɪˈmɒsɪtɪ /

noun

  1. a powerful and active dislike or hostility; enmity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of animosity

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English animosite, from Middle French, from Late Latin animōsitāt-, stem of animōsitās “ardor, boldness, wrath,” from Latin animōs(us) “spirited” (from anim(us) animus + -ōsus -ose 1 ) + -itās -ity

Explanation

Animosity is a strong feeling similar to hatred. If your (supposed) best buddy embarrasses you in front of a big crowd, your friendship could turn into animosity. Animosity comes from the Latin word animus, meaning "spirit" or "mind." That's also the root of the word animated — literally, "full of spirit." So how did animosity get so negative? Over the centuries, the original meaning of "high spirits" soured into "hatred." Today we most often speak of animosity toward, between, among, or against people. Keeping your animosity in check might make steam come out your ears.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Animosity and recriminations have steadily escalated over a series of disagreements that have implications for global security and stability.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 17, 2023

Animosity had built between Patriot and Battlefield, and a rematch in the postseason appeared inevitable.

From Washington Post • Nov. 21, 2022

Animosity is clearly up around the league with players seeing the same familiar, aggravating faces over and over again.

From Fox News • Feb. 11, 2021

Animosity turns into giggling sympathy, and it’s not long before the daily hospital visiting routine sparks affection between these two adult children with seriously ill mothers.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2017

Animosity was also disarmed by his chivalric spirit.

From War Letters of a Public-School Boy by Jones, Henry Paul Mainwaring

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.