enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.
an unspoken enmity
hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.
hostility between the two nations
antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility.
a natural antipathy for self-seekers
antagonism between the brothers
animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.
animosity that led to revenge
rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.
rancor filled every line of his letters
animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.
objections devoid of personal animus
Examples of rancor in a Sentence
She answered her accusers calmly and without rancor.
In the end, the debate created a degree of rancor among the committee members.
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But at least one auto industry analyst said the numbers could have been much worse — given the uncertainty swirling around tariffs and the political rancor aimed at Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, the largest electric vehicle maker in the country.—Rob Nikolewski, Mercury News, 21 May 2025 Such cultures place a high premium on kindness, critique without rancor, affirmation, and acceptance.—Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 After the meeting Gertz reacted to the swipe without rancor.—Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025 But the president's open rancor toward 60 Minutes looms over all.—David Folkenflik, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rancor
Word History
Etymology
Middle English rancour, from Anglo-French rancur, from Late Latin rancor rancidity, rancor, from Latin rancēre
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