Hatred: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'hatred' to express strong and intense dislike or ill will towards someone or something. It is often used in a general sense and can be applied to both personal and impersonal subjects.

• She felt a deep hatred for the man who had wronged her
• The community expressed its hatred towards the policy changes

Use 'hostility' to indicate unfriendly or antagonistic behavior or attitudes. Hostility can refer to both actions and feelings and is often used in situations involving conflict or aggression.

• Her hostility towards new employees was obvious
• The negotiations failed, leading to increased hostility between the groups

Use 'animosity' to describe a feeling of strong hostility or opposition between individuals or groups. It implies an ongoing or long-lasting state of hostility.

• There was clear animosity between the two rival factions
• He couldn't hide his animosity towards his former boss

Use 'enmity' to describe mutual hatred or hostility between two parties. It often implies a deeper, more entrenched and long-term animosity. enmity is frequently found in historical or formal contexts.

• The enmity between the two nations lasted for decades
• Despite their enmity, they agreed to negotiate a truce

Used in situations of intense emotion where there is a deep, strong feeling of dislike or ill will towards someone or something.

• She felt an intense hatred for the person who betrayed her
• His hatred for injustice drove him to become a lawyer

Describes a feeling of strong disinclination or opposition to something, often implying a desire to avoid it.

• He has a strong aversion to spiders
• She felt an aversion to loud noises and crowded places

More formal and less intense than 'hatred', used to describe a strong feeling of dislike or opposition, often without the intense emotional charge.

• She felt a strong antipathy towards lying and dishonesty
• There was a mutual antipathy between the rival teams

Expresses a deep-seated dislike or disgust, with a strong emphasis on moral or physical repulsion.

• The thought of cheating filled him with repugnance
• She expressed her repugnance at the idea of eating insects