Animus: meaning, definitions and examples

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animus

[ˈanəməs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in psychology

a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will

Synonyms

animosity, antipathy, hostility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
animus	Used to describe a strong feeling of dislike or hatred that is often hidden or not directly expressed. She spoke with a barely concealed animus toward her competitor. The animus in his remarks was hard to miss.
hostility	Often used to describe open, aggressive, or confrontational behavior, typically associated with an intention to harm or oppose. The protesters faced hostility from the police. Despite the hostile reception, she remained calm and composed.
animosity	Typically used to describe a strong feeling of dislike or hatred that is openly shown between people or groups. There was clear animosity between the two parties. Their long-standing animosity eventually led to a public confrontation.
antipathy	Used to describe a deep-seated feeling of aversion or strong dislike, often based on a fundamental incompatibility or disagreement. He felt a strong antipathy towards modern art. Her antipathy for noisy environments made city life difficult.

Examples of usage

The criticism was rooted in animus towards the author.
She couldn't hide her animus towards her ex-husband.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in ancient Rome

a powerful inner force believed to be a dominating character trait in Roman culture

Synonyms

courage, spirit, vitality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
animus	Often used in a negative sense to describe a strong feeling of hostility or ill will towards someone or something. There was clear animus between the two political opponents. Her animus against the company's policies was evident in her speech.
spirit	Can refer to a person's general attitude, enthusiasm, or energy. Also used to indicate a person's essence or soul. The team showed a lot of spirit during the game. Despite the challenges, her spirit remained unbroken.
courage	Describes the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Often used in positive contexts to highlight bravery. She showed great courage in standing up for her beliefs. Running into a burning building required incredible courage.
vitality	Refers to the state of being strong and full of energy. It is often used to describe physical health and vigor. Her youthful vitality was apparent in her every move. A healthy diet and regular exercise are crucial for maintaining vitality.

Examples of usage

The Roman warrior's animus drove him to conquer new lands.
The concept of animus was deeply ingrained in Roman society.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

Derived from Latin, where 'animus' means 'soul' or 'spirit', linking to both emotional and mental states.
Related to the word 'animus', which denotes both courage and intention, showing how our mindset shapes actions.
Connected to 'animus', referring to the masculine inner personality in Jungian psychology, highlighting gender dynamics in emotions.

Psychology

In Jungian psychology, animus reflects the unconscious masculine side of a woman’s psyche, influencing her thoughts and behaviors.
The presence of a strong animus can both empower women and lead to conflict if not harmonized with their feminine aspects.
Interactions with the animus can surface during personal development, often challenging one's past beliefs and relationship patterns.

Literature

In literary contexts, animus can describe a character’s deep-seated motivations, revealing their core desires and conflicts.
Authors often use animus to explore themes of identity and transformation, illustrating how inner conflict drives narratives.
Famous literary works often show characters battling with their animus, symbolizing the struggle between personal ambition and societal expectations.

Cultural References

In popular culture, the concept of animus often appears in films and books, portraying characters driven by deep-seated emotions.
Many video games feature characters whose animus guides their journey, influencing decisions and relationships.
Cultural discussions around animus often highlight conflicts arising from personal beliefs and the collective societal pressures.

Philosophy

Philosophers have debated the role of animus in shaping human behavior, exploring how intentions affect morality and ethics.
The discussion surrounding animus extends to the examination of free will, asking how much our inner drives determine our actions.
In various philosophical traditions, understanding one’s animus is seen as crucial for self-awareness and personal growth.

Translations

Translations of the word "animus" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ánimus

🇮🇳 शत्रुता

🇩🇪 Feindseligkeit

🇮🇩 permusuhan

🇺🇦 внутрішній стан

ворожість
намір

🇵🇱 wrogość

🇯🇵 敵意（てきい）

🇫🇷 animosité

🇪🇸 animosidad

🇹🇷 düşmanlık

🇰🇷 적의

🇸🇦 عداء

🇨🇿 nepřátelství

🇸🇰 nepriateľstvo

🇨🇳 敌意

🇸🇮 neprijateljstvo

🇮🇸 fjandskapur

🇰🇿 қастық

🇬🇪 მტრულობა

🇦🇿 düşmənçilik

🇲🇽 animosidad

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,880, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
19877 bumping
19878 quarried
19879 defiled
19880 animus
19881 roundabout
19882 attesting
19883 lapping
...