antipathy

[an-tip-uh-thee]

noun

plural

antipathies 

1. a natural, basic, or habitual repugnance; aversion.

   Synonyms: hatred, detestation, abhorrence, disgust
   Antonyms: attraction

2. an instinctive contrariety or opposition in feeling.

3. an object of natural aversion or habitual dislike.

antipathy

/ ænˈtɪpəθɪ /

noun

1. a feeling of intense aversion, dislike, or hostility

2. the object of such a feeling

Other Word Forms

• antipathist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of antipathy¹

1595–1605; < Latin antipathīa < Greek antipátheia. See anti-, -pathy

Word History and Origins

Origin of antipathy¹

C17: from Latin antipathia, from Greek antipatheia, from _anti- + patheia feeling

Synonym Study

See aversion.

Example Sentences

Must I tell you that antipathy will turn to appreciation as our heroes make common cause, get a little personal and, with the able Agent Bisset, become real-life action heroes?

From Los Angeles Times

During the Biden administration, U.S. officials hoped to use that antipathy to forge an anti-Iran coalition that would see friendly nations like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE cooperating with Israel to isolate Tehran.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans, so much as a three-way split between alienated elements on the left and the right who dislike each other, but also have a shared antipathy to the center.

From Salon

But the most worrisome development in all this bloodletting is how Kennedy’s antipathy toward vaccines is playing out.

From Los Angeles Times

Any antipathy that Barcelona may have had for Real Madrid in the past does not preclude the fact that for years it seemed that they wanted to be them.

From BBC

Related Words

• animosity 
• animus 
• antagonism 
• aversion 
• disgust 
• dislike 
• distaste 
• enmity 
• hatred 
• hostility 
• ill will 
• loathing 
• rancor