antipathy

noun

an·​tip·​a·​thy an-ˈti-pə-thē How to pronounce antipathy (audio)
plural antipathies
1
: a strong feeling of dislike
an antipathy to taxes
a deep antipathy between the groups
2
: something disliked : an object of aversion
… perhaps his greatest antipathies were cabs, old women, doors that would not shut …Charles Dickens
3
obsolete : opposition in feeling
Choose the Right Synonym for antipathy

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will.

enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

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

animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

Examples of antipathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Four years later, initially skeptical Tea Partiers embraced Mr. Trump, who, as candidate and president, offered a supercharged version of the movement’s antipathy toward immigrants, fear of a changing country and anti-establishment fervor. Charles Homans, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 His comrade in arms beside him, hand on the butt of a weathered-looking M4 rifle, warned of Palestinians’ growing anger with their nominal rulers alongside their antipathy toward Israel. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023 But even officials who share that antipathy say this is not the time to get rid of the agency. Ronen Bergman, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2024 Gorbachev rejected Reagan’s confidence in strategic defenses but shared the U.S. president’s antipathy to nuclear weapons, not least because of his shock at the meltdown at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986. Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023 Democrats in battleground states are growing increasingly anxious about President Biden’s low approval ratings, worrying that voters’ persistent antipathy toward his leadership could not only cost the party the White House but also weigh down the candidates who are sharing the ballot with him. Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2023 The Somers affair centers on the antipathy between two headstrong men, and Mr. Snow offers a compelling psychological portrait of the antagonists. Gerard Helferich, WSJ, 10 Nov. 2023 Most are nonunion, which has generated antipathy from unions. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2023 In addition to broad fears about the world that young people may want to create, for many conservatives their antipathy for Swift nestles in old-fashioned male insecurity. Edith Olmsted, The New Republic, 29 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antipathy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin antipathia, from Greek antipatheia, from antipathēs of opposite feelings, from anti- + pathos experience — more at pathos

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of antipathy was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near antipathy

Cite this Entry

“Antipathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antipathy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

antipathy

noun
an·​tip·​a·​thy an-ˈtip-ə-thē How to pronounce antipathy (audio)
plural antipathies
1
: a strong dislike
2
: a person or thing that arouses strong dislike
antipathetic
ˌant-i-pə-ˈthet-ik
adjective

Medical Definition

antipathy

noun
an·​tip·​a·​thy an-ˈtip-ə-thē How to pronounce antipathy (audio)
plural antipathies
1
: settled aversion or dislike
2
: an object of aversion
antipathic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on antipathy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!