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

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animosity British  

/ ˌænɪˈmɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. a powerful and active dislike or hostility; enmity

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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

Example Sentences

Writers, actors, directors, and studio execs harbor animosity for Netflix, which disrupted their business models and shook up the power structure of the industry incumbents.

From Barron's

Mason Billig insisted there was no animosity over Connolly's departure as he "was stepping down anyway".

From BBC

But the threat against him never vanished, and the animosity some bore him remained.

From Barron's

In consequence, Messrs. Lender and Martin observe, white loyalists were prepared to override ingrained prejudices and animosities, fighting alongside Native Americans and escaped black slaves.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Dad didn’t harbor any animosity as he met all these people,” said his son, David Gastfriend, a psychiatrist.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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