Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Animus: meaning, definitions and examples

🔥
Add to dictionary

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?

arrow down
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?

arrow down
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.

Translations

Translations of the word "animus" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ánimus

🇮🇳 शत्रुता

🇩🇪 Feindseligkeit

🇮🇩 permusuhan

🇺🇦 внутрішній стан

🇵🇱 wrogość

🇯🇵 敵意（てきい）

🇫🇷 animosité

🇪🇸 animosidad

🇹🇷 düşmanlık

🇰🇷 적의

🇸🇦 عداء

🇨🇿 nepřátelství

🇸🇰 nepriateľstvo

🇨🇳 敌意

🇸🇮 neprijateljstvo

🇮🇸 fjandskapur

🇰🇿 қастық

🇬🇪 მტრულობა

🇦🇿 düşmənçilik

🇲🇽 animosidad

Etymology

The word 'animus' comes from Latin, where it originally meant 'the rational soul, life, or courage.' In ancient Rome, animus was believed to be a powerful inner force that drove individuals to act with courage and determination. Over time, the meaning of animus evolved to include a more negative connotation, referring to ill will or hostility. Today, 'animus' is used in both psychological and historical contexts to describe intense feelings or motivations.

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.