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 The Friday motion argued that Howell has repeatedly shown animus toward Trump. —Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 His animus toward the Biden family is in part what motivated the former president to pardon his son. —Shawn McCreesh, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2025 How is that anything other than showing animus? ... —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 Ireland is not our enemy, even if our president abuses it with his bewildering animus to free nations. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for animus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animus
  1. hostility
  2. grudge
  3. hatred
Noun
  • When expectant fathers face hostility or subtle exclusion at work, the consequences can extend beyond their own careers.
    — Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Questions were raised over Putin’s motives in calling the brief halt to hostilities, which came just after the Trump administration threatened to abandon peace efforts without tangible signs of progress.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • An armed man accused of walking into a Walgreens location in California and shooting an employee to death this week allegedly had a grudge against corporate pharmacies, police said.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Theater owners gathered inside the Colosseum Theater at Caesar’s Palace on Monday didn’t seem to hold any grudges, and gave a warm welcome to the exec.
    — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of grudge
Noun
  • While highlighting the vicious cycle of ethnic hatred, Gavin strives for impartiality.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness and truth over falsehood.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of hatred

Browse Nearby Words

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

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about animus

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