Definition

1. Noun:
   • A feeling of strong dislike, ill will, or hatred that often leads to hostile or antagonistic behavior: Animosity refers to a deep-seated, often long-lasting, feeling of resentment or enmity between people or groups.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • There is a deep-seated animosity between the two rival companies.
  • Her animosity towards her former colleague was evident in her sharp remarks.
  • The political debate was fueled by personal animosity rather than policy differences.

Advanced Usage

• "To harbor/bear animosity": To hold or maintain a feeling of ill will over time.
  • Despite the public apology, he still harbored animosity towards his critics.
• "Deep/bitter animosity": Used to emphasize the intensity of the hostile feeling.
  • The bitter animosity between the families lasted for generations.

Variants and Related Words

• Animosity is the standard noun form.
• Animosities (plural noun): Multiple instances or feelings of hostility.
  • The peace talks aimed to resolve the long-standing animosities.
• Animous (adjective, rare/archaic): Having a feeling of animosity. (Note: This form is very rarely used in modern English).

Synonyms

• Hostility: Unfriendly or antagonistic behavior or feeling.
• Antipathy: A deep-seated feeling of dislike or aversion.
• Enmity: The state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
• Rancor: Bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing.

Antonyms

• Friendship: The emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends.
• Goodwill: Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude.
• Amity: A friendly relationship.

Related Phrases

• "Animosity towards/against/for": The prepositions used to indicate the target of the hostile feeling.
  • He felt great animosity towards the new management.
• "To stir up animosity": To cause or provoke feelings of hostility.
  • The inflammatory speech was designed to stir up animosity among the crowd.

Noun

1. a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility