animosity

[an-uh-mos-i-tee]

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

/ ˌænɪˈmɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. a powerful and active dislike or hostility; enmity

Word History and Origins

Origin of animosity¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of animosity¹

C15: from Late Latin animōsitās, from Latin animōsus spirited, from _animus

Example Sentences

That off-field animosity remains, but O'Neill has steered Celtic through choppy waters on the park - even if one of those closest to him feared he would struggle to.

Read more on BBC

Kiffin is now overseeing his third consecutive double-digit win season at Ole Miss, but the defining characteristic of his time with the Rebels is how he has learned to lean into the animosity he inspires.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That animosity spread to the women's sides who declined any greeting at the recent T20 World Cup and also to Sunday's men's Rising Stars Asia Cup tie in Doha.

Read more on Barron's

She framed the split as a clash over priorities rather than personal animosity, asserting her independence while maintaining her loyal base of supporters who admire her combative style.

Read more on Salon

The spat touches on the historical animosity between China and Japan, as well as longstanding "strategic ambiguity" on the sovereignty of Taiwan.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• acrimony 
• animus 
• antagonism 
• antipathy 
• bad blood 
• bitterness 
• enmity 
• hate 
• hatred 
• hostility 
• ill will 
• malice 
• rancor 
• resentment