These nouns refer to the feeling or expression of deep-seated ill will. Enmity is hatred such as might be felt for an enemy: the wartime enmity of the two nations.
Hostility implies the clear expression of enmity: “If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find . . . enough to disarm all hostility” (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow).
Antagonism is hostility that quickly results in active resistance, opposition, or contentiousness: “the early struggles of famous authors, the notorious antagonism of publishers and editors to any new writer of exceptional promise” (Edith Wharton).
Animosity often triggers bitter resentment or punitive action: overcame her animosity toward her parents.
Rancor suggests vengeful hatred and resentment: filled with rancor after losing his job.
Antipathy is deep-seated aversion or repugnance: an antipathy to social pretension.
Animus is distinctively personal, often based on one’s prejudices or temperament: an inexplicable animus against intellectuals.
state – the way something is with respect to its main attributes; “the current state of knowledge”; “his state of health”; “in a weak financial state”
latent hostility, tension – feelings of hostility that are not manifest; “he could sense her latent hostility to him”; “the diplomats’ first concern was to reduce international tensions”
state of war, war – a legal state created by a declaration of war and ended by official declaration during which the international rules of war apply; “war was declared in November but actual fighting did not begin until the following spring”
cold war – a state of political hostility between countries using means short of armed warfare
suspicion – the state of being suspected; “he tried to shield me from suspicion”
2.
enmity – the feeling of a hostile person; “he could no longer contain his hostility”
n
m
-t
)
cit
s, from Latin inim
