animus

noun

ˈa-nə-məs How to pronounce animus (audio)
Definition of animusnext
as in hostility
a deep-seated ill will feeling no animus toward those who had wronged her

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun animus differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of animus are animosity, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hostility, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

When is animosity a more appropriate choice than animus?

The synonyms animosity and animus are sometimes interchangeable, but animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

How do antipathy and antagonism relate to one another, in the sense of animus?

Both 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

When would enmity be a good substitute for animus?

The words enmity and animus can be used in similar contexts, but enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

When might hostility be a better fit than animus?

While in some cases nearly identical to animus, hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

When is it sensible to use rancor instead of animus?

While the synonyms rancor and animus are close in meaning, rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of animus Greenbaum and Steele share highs and lows from the trip, one of the lows being a visit to a restaurant in Texas when the atmosphere took a dangerous turn as diner patrons displayed increasing animus towards Will and Harper. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2025 Gray’s case for freedom is particularly strong, his attorneys said, because there is good evidence that racial animus led to his conviction. —Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2025 But wind power has long garnered the personal animus of President Trump, and now the broader Departments of Energy and the Interior. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025 Both Noem and Trump have publicly objected to the ways South Park portrayed them, but that's only made the flame of their animus burn brighter. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for animus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animus
  1. hostility
  2. grudge
  3. hatred
Noun
  • Naroditsky’s untimely death has shined a spotlight on the dark underbelly of the game that fellow pros say brought undue hostility upon the chess star in his final months.
    — Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Presidents have wide latitude to deploy the Guard, and protection of federal property is an obvious justification in this season of violent hostility to ICE.
    — Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Her relationship with her family is fraught, and not just because of her liberal politics; religious animosity, personal grudges, and class resentment all play a part.
    — Grace Byron, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Be wary of friends who act like their grudges are the only ones that matter in a relationship.
    — Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of grudge
Noun
  • The endorsement comes as Cuomo has lobbed increasingly caustic attacks on Mamdani, equating his criticism of Israel with antisemitism and warning of a city beset by crime, hatred and disorder if his opponent wins.
    — Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield hasn't been shy about his hatred of the rival NFL franchise.
    — Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of hatred

Browse Nearby Words

animosity
animus
aniseikonia
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Cite this Entry

“Animus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animus. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about animus

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