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Enmity vs Hostility vs Antipathy vs Antagonism vs Animosity vs Rancor vs Animus

Enmity, hostilityantipathyantagonismanimosityrancoranimus mean intense deep-seated dislike or ill will or a manifestation of such a feeling.

Enmity implies more than the absence of amity or a friendly spirit; it suggests positive hatred which may or may not be dormant or concealed.

Hostility suggests strong and usually open enmity manifesting itself actively (as in warfare, in violent attacks, or in ostracism).

Antipathy and antagonism usually imply a temperamental or constitutional basis for one’s hatred or dislike.

Antipathy suggests aversion or repugnance and often, in consequence, avoidance or repulsion of the person or thing hated.

Antagonism stresses the clash of temperaments and the quickness with which hostilities are provoked or the spirit of resistance is aroused.

Animosity and rancor denote emotions of such intensity or violence that they may, if not given release, provide the ground for active hostility.

Animosity usually suggests anger, vindictiveness, and sometimes a desire to destroy or injure what one hates.

Rancor stresses bitterness and ill will amounting to malevolence; it often implies the nursing of a grudge or grievance.

Animus suggests less emotional violence than animosity, but it implies more definitely a prejudice or ill will that seeks to find expression.