Antipathy

Definition

A deep-seated feeling of aversion or dislike toward someone or something; a settled hostility or incompatibility.

Beyond the definition

Antipathy is dislike that has settled into something structural. It's not a moment of irritation — it's a persistent, almost constitutional distaste. You might have antipathy toward a person, an ideology, a food, a sound. The word acknowledges that some dislikes go all the way down.

Origin & history

From Greek antipatheia, from anti- ('against') + pathos ('feeling'). Feeling turned against something — the opposite of sympathy.

Example sentences

Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.

Her antipathy toward the new policy was evident from the beginning.

There was a mutual antipathy between the two departments that no reorganization had managed to resolve.

How to use it

This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”

Choose “Antipathy” when the meaning fits your context: A deep-seated feeling of aversion or dislike toward someone or something; a settled hostility or incompatibility.

Synonyms

aversion, hostility, dislike, repugnance, enmity

Antonyms

affinity, sympathy, fondness, attraction

Related words

• aversion
• hostility
• animosity
• antagonism

Antipathy vs aversion

Aversion is a strong dislike or reluctance toward something — often a specific thing (an activity, a food, a situation) that one prefers to avoid. Antipathy is deeper and more settled: a fundamental, often constitutional dislike of a person or thing that feels structural rather than situational. You have an aversion to public speaking; you feel antipathy toward a rival. Aversion can be circumstantial and overcome; antipathy tends to be stable and lasting.

Word in the Wild

See how this word appears in life, language and stories.

Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.

Fictional scene

Clear visible hostility and aversion

Two adults having a heated disagreement stand at a distance from one another, their gestures and postures showing clear, deep-seated hostility.

The physical space and the sharp, defensive gestures between them signify a deep-seated incompatibility. This reflects antipathy, where the settled aversion between the two is visible in their refusal to close the gap or find common ground.

Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration

Questions about this word

What does "Antipathy" mean?

Antipathy is noun meaning: A strong feeling of dislike or aversion.. A deep-seated feeling of aversion or dislike toward someone or something; a settled hostility or incompatibility.

Where does the word "Antipathy" come from?

From Greek antipatheia, from anti- ('against') + pathos ('feeling'). Feeling turned against something — the opposite of sympathy.