ˈenm]əd.ē, -ətē, -i, chiefly in substand speech ˈemn] noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English enmite, enemite, from Middle French enemité, enemitié, from Old French enemisté, enemistié, from enemi enemy, after Old French ami friend: amistié amity (whence Middle French amité, amitié ) — more at enemy , ami , amity
1.
a. : ill with such as actuates a personal enemy
his act only increased the enmity of his rival
b. : a condition marked by such ill will : hatred or antagonism especially when mutual
men settled in enmity toward their fellows
c. : an instance of such ill will or hostility
he had an enmity with man — Lord Dunsany
2. obsolete : something baneful or prejudicial
Synonyms:
hostility , antipathy , antagonism , animosity , rancor , animus : enmity indicates ill will, dislike, or hatred that may be overt or concealed and absence of any friendly spirit
farmers began to arrive, some to remain and conquer the enmity of cattlemen — American Guide Series: Texas
France's feud with Germany and her enmity with England — A.L.Guérard
hostility may, but does not always, indicate an enmity manifesting itself in open active attack or aggression
the hostility with which bishops and parish priests regarded monks and friars — G.M.Trevelyan
driven from their old homes because of their loyalty to the British Crown and their consequent hostility to the Revolution — B.K.Sandwell
Richelieu in his own mind determined upon overt hostilities, upon national war — Hilaire Belloc
antipathy may apply to a temperamental dislike, aversion, or desire to avoid and shun
inveterate antipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded — George Washington
as for cats and Negroes, he was inclined to believe that both species knew instinctively of his pronounced antipathy for them — Osbert Sitwell
antagonism may suggest a natural hatred or ill will marked by quick hostility or bitter rivalry or resistance
an antagonism existed between the two brothers
her fragility aroused the chivalry of men, her modesty precluded the antagonism of women — Victoria Sackville-West
animosity suggests intense, vindictive ill will capable of culminating in hostility
her hatred of the idea of it was intensified into violent animosity — Arnold Bennett
vicious animosity of political opponents kept alive an unfortunate mistake that occurred at the time of the Jackson marriage — American Guide Series: Tennessee
rancor may indicate bitter malevolence, often accompanied by brooding over an injustice or wrong
his most faithful disciple and his most trusted helper, for a dozen years. There is small wonder at her feeling an unchristian rancor against the nation which had caused his death — C.S.Forester
animus applies to dislike, often prejudiced, and ill will, often malevolent or spiteful
a sense that he had been patronized lay behind the animus that made him a “defiant American”, when he was minister to England — Van Wyck Brooks