enmity
gb/ˈɛnmɪti/ us/ˈɛnmɪti/
C1
English
~ 8000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
state
1
deep mutual hatred or hostility
A strong feeling of hate and hostility between people or groups, often for a long time.
Usage pattern:
enmity between [one side] and [the other side]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "enmity" with "enemy." "Enemy" is a person or group you fight with, while "enmity" is the feeling of hatred or the hostile relationship itself. Another common mistake is using it as a countable noun in everyday contexts (e.g., "an enmity"), whereas it is usually uncountable and used in phrases like "enmity between A and B" or "feel enmity toward someone."
Synonyms
hostility (Emphasizes unfriendly or aggressive behavior or attitude; can be less emotional than deep personal hatred.)
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animosity (Very close in meaning, but slightly more common in everyday speech and can sound a bit less formal than "enmity.")
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hatred (A more general and common word for very strong dislike; does not always suggest a two-sided or long-term conflict.)
Antonyms
friendship (Indicates a positive personal relationship, the opposite of a relationship marked by deep hatred.)
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goodwill (Describes a friendly and kind attitude, directly opposed to feelings of enmity.)
Collocations
long-standing enmity
|mutual enmity
|political enmity
|harbor enmity
|feel enmity toward
Themes
emotions
|conflict
|politics
|relationships
Examples
- Decades of political enmity between the two nations finally ended with the peace agreement.
- There was open enmity between the rival families, and they refused to speak to each other.
- Despite their past enmity, the two leaders managed to work together on the new project.
- The reforms were introduced in an atmosphere of deep enmity between workers and management.
- She tried to overcome the old enmity that had divided the community for so long.
Learner examples
- There is great enmity between the two groups.
- The war created strong enmity between the countries.
- They decided to end their enmity and become partners.
- Years of enmity made it hard for them to trust each other.
Grammar
Dictionary form
enmity
IPA
GB/ˈɛnmɪti/
US/ˈɛnmɪti/
Syllables & stress
enmity (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (enmity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: enmity
- Plural: enmities, enmity
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.