Animosity means a strong feeling of dislike, hatred, or resentment that tends toward active hostility. It describes deep, often lasting ill will — the kind of antagonism that can shape how people treat one another. When there is animosity between two parties, their relationship is marked by hostility rather than mere disagreement.
What does animosity mean?
Merriam-Webster defines animosity as “a strong feeling of dislike or hatred: ill will or resentment tending toward active hostility.” The key idea is intensity and direction: animosity is not a passing irritation but a settled, hostile attitude aimed at a person, group, or thing. It often implies that the bad feeling could turn into open conflict.
Where does the word come from?
Animosity comes from Late Latin animositas, meaning “boldness” or “high spirits,” which derives from Latin animosus (“spirited, bold”) and ultimately animus (“mind, spirit”). The Latin animus could mean many things related to the soul and emotions, including “anger.” Over the centuries the word’s meaning drifted from “high spirits” toward “hatred” — a striking example of how a term can sour over time. That shared root also connects animosity to words like animated and magnanimous.
How is animosity different from anger?
Anger and animosity are related but not identical. Anger is usually a shorter-term emotional response to a specific event — you can be angry for a moment and then move on. Animosity is deeper and more enduring; it is a standing hostility toward someone that can persist long after any single incident. Because it can lie hidden for years before resurfacing, animosity often points to an underlying, ongoing conflict rather than a one-time reaction.
How do you use animosity in a sentence?
Animosity is a noun and frequently appears with prepositions like “between,” “toward,” or “against.” It suits descriptions of rivalries, feuds, and tense relationships.
- “There was open animosity between the two candidates during the debate.”
- “Years of animosity between the neighbors finally boiled over.”
- “She felt no animosity toward her former employer.”
- “The treaty aimed to ease long-standing animosity between the nations.”
What are synonyms for animosity?
Words with similar meanings include hostility, antagonism, enmity, ill will, rancor, and bitterness. Each carries a slightly different shade: enmity stresses the state of being enemies, rancor emphasizes bitter resentment, and hostility highlights open opposition. Choosing among them depends on how intense and how open the bad feeling is. Animosity sits comfortably in the middle of this group, signaling serious, hostile dislike without necessarily describing outright violence. Antonyms, by contrast, include friendship, goodwill, affection, and amity — words that describe warmth rather than hostility. Understanding both the synonyms and antonyms helps clarify just how strong animosity is: it is far more than mild dislike, but it describes a settled attitude rather than a single violent act.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does animosity mean?
It means a strong feeling of dislike, hatred, or resentment that tends toward hostility.
How is animosity different from anger?
Anger is often a short-term emotion, while animosity is deeper, longer-lasting ill will directed at someone.
Where does the word animosity come from?
From Latin animosus, "spirited or bold," derived from animus, "mind or spirit."
How do you use animosity in a sentence?
For example, "There was clear animosity between the two rivals."