Antipathy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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antipathy

[ænˈtɪpəθi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling towards someone or something

Antipathy is a strong feeling of dislike or hostility towards someone or something. It is a deep-seated aversion or repugnance.

Synonyms

animosity, aversion, dislike, hostility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
antipathy	Antipathy refers to a deep-seated dislike or aversion, usually a strong and instinctive feeling. It is more formal and less intense than hatred. She had an antipathy towards modern art
hostility	Hostility indicates aggressive or unfriendly behavior or attitudes. It has a negative connotation and often implies active opposition. The manager's hostility towards his employees created a toxic work environment
aversion	Aversion implies a strong feeling of dislike or unwillingness. It can also refer to avoiding something that causes discomfort. He has an aversion to spiders
dislike	Dislike is a mild or moderate feeling of not liking someone or something. It is less intense and more common in daily language. She expressed her dislike for the new policy
animosity	Animosity is a strong hostility or hatred towards someone or something. It is often displayed openly. There was clear animosity between the rival teams

Examples of usage

Her antipathy towards him was evident in her cold tone of voice.
I have always had an antipathy towards snakes.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

opposition in nature

Antipathy can also refer to a natural opposition or incompatibility between two things. It is a strong contrast or opposition.

Synonyms

contradiction, contrast, incompatibility, opposition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
antipathy	Describes a strong feeling of dislike or even hatred towards someone or something. Often used in formal contexts. She felt a deep antipathy towards her new colleague. His antipathy to modern art was well-known.
contrast	Highlights the differences between two or more things when compared. Commonly used in comparisons. The contrast between their personalities was striking. The movie's bright colors stand in sharp contrast to its dark themes.
opposition	Refers to resistance or dissent, typically in the form of active disagreement or conflict. Can be used in political, social, or personal contexts. The new policy faced strong opposition from the public. She voiced her opposition to the proposed changes.
incompatibility	Describes the inability of two things to work together or coexist due to their inherent differences. Often used in technical, personal, or professional contexts. There is an incompatibility between these two software versions. Their incompatibility became apparent within months of their marriage.
contradiction	Used when two statements or ideas are in direct opposition and cannot both be true simultaneously. Often found in discussions, debates, or logical arguments. His actions are in contradiction to his words. There is a clear contradiction in your argument.

Examples of usage

There is an antipathy between fire and water.
The antipathy between their personalities made it difficult for them to work together.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Psychologists suggest that antipathy can stem from past negative experiences related to a specific person or object.
Antipathy might affect social interactions, leading to avoidance behaviors in relationships.
It often manifests alongside other emotions, such as anger or fear, making it complex to navigate.

Pop Culture

Antipathy is often explored in literature and film, where characters may represent deep-seated hatreds, creating tension.
In political discussions, antipathy can seem prevalent, especially when parties have starkly contrasting views.
Popular songs and artworks frequently depict the theme of antipathy, illustrating profound dislike in human relationships.

Literature

Many classic novels explore characters' antipathies, such as Elizabeth Bennet's initial dislike for Mr. Darcy in 'Pride and Prejudice.'
Shakespeare's plays often highlight characters with strong feelings of antipathy, intensifying dramatic conflict.
These stories illustrate how antipathy can sometimes be transformed into understanding or empathy over time.

Origin of 'antipathy'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Greek 'antipathes,' meaning 'against' (anti) and 'feeling' (pathos).
It was first used in English in the 17th century, linking feelings of strong aversion to people, ideas, or actions.
Latin also influenced its use, with 'antipathia' describing opposing emotions.

The word 'antipathy' originated from the Greek word 'antipatheia', which means 'opposed in feeling'. It entered the English language in the 16th century. The concept of antipathy has been a part of human psychology since ancient times, as people have always experienced strong feelings of dislike or opposition towards certain things.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,157, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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17154 flea
17155 repurchase
17156 oscillatory
17157 antipathy
17158 betraying
17159 unattended
17160 formatting
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