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 Why did the Pentagon, for no plausible reason other than animus, expel trans service members after years of honorable service? —Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026 The anti-pop animus of classic rock criticism reflected nothing so much as a neurotic puritanism, or maybe just a snobbish inability to hear the deep beauty of pop. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Mar. 2026 This starts to kind of engage the racial animus of the 1920s and the 1930s. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026 With every new shock, the animus between protesters and agents has grown worse. —Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for animus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animus
  1. hostility
  2. grudge
  3. hatred
Noun
  • The onset of hostilities was enough to persuade around a hundred and eighty Democrats to support the measure.
    — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • As swirling rumors and escalating fears mount of imminent US-Israeli strikes, there is a growing sense of inevitability among many Iranians about the resumption of hostilities.
    — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Trump is well known for holding a grudge and expecting loyalty, which has been a theme in several Republican primaries this year.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • How sweet this life—if Fortune bears no grudge.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Definition of grudge
Noun
  • The Soros’ announcement did not say how the foundations will define antisemitism — a point of contention on college campuses and in state legislatures where debates have raged over whether criticism of Israel amounts to hatred of Jewish people.
    — James Pollard, Fortune, 13 May 2026
  • The movie thus offers a complaint about the end results of Putinism, not about the ideas—the emotions, the enthusiasms, the resentments, the hatreds—that brought it about.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
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 20 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on animus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about animus

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