enmity

USAGE SUMMARY

'enmity' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means a feeling of strong dislike, hatred or hostility between people or groups. Example Sentence: The enmity between the two families had existed for generations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By opening up these backwaters, there is a danger Frank could earn the enmity of the very pop connoisseurs it hopes to attract.

The Guardian - Film

Enmity that was genuine in the middle of the 18th century had become a joke and a hobby, brought into play at football and rugby matches, long before the middle of the 20th.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the time, the RUC was facing the enmity of not only the Provisional IRA but also extreme loyalists, who were burning police officers out of their homes because the force had been asked to physically defend the new Anglo-Irish Secretariat building on the outskirts of east Belfast.

The Guardian

There was, though it earned her the lasting enmity of vested interests and our so-called liberal elite, whom she proved wrong.

The Guardian

It was hoped that Abdullah's birth in Riyadh would end the enmity between the ousted northern Hail emirate and the newly emerging Saudi kingdom.

The Guardian

The author of the "unacceptable face of capitalism" jibe (his target was Lonrho) attacked corruption and poor performance among the captains of industry, deepening Tory enmity as much as his opposition to some of his party's privatisations.

The Guardian

Young, rich, successful: it ought to be enough to win him the enmity of all reasonable people.

The Guardian

Artistic licence, Standen said, had created a fictional enmity between Turing and his superior, Commander Denniston, played by Charles Dance, who "actually had quite a good relationship".

The Guardian - Film

As a training ground for a career in the brutal and suspicious world of post-Soviet business, the enmity of hardline Northern Irish politics is hard to beat.

The Guardian

"The enmity and grievances harbored by each side toward the other can only be solved and resolved through hours of intensive labour at the negotiation table.

The Guardian

In contrast, the turmoil in Syria and the proxy battle with Saudi Arabia highlights the deep enmity between Tehran and its longstanding rival, Riyadh.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enmity" when you want to emphasize a state of deep-seated hostility or antagonism, especially between groups or nations.

Common error

Avoid using "enmity" when a milder term like "disagreement" or "dislike" would be more appropriate. "Enmity" implies a strong and persistent feeling of opposition.

Linguistic Context

"Enmity" serves as a noun denoting a state of deep-seated ill-will or active hostility. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing relationships between individuals, groups, or nations marked by antagonism. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Enmity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun, denoting deep-seated hostility or antagonism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correctly applied in describing strained relations across diverse contexts. Primarily found in news and media, "enmity" describes severe, persistent opposition. While synonyms like "hostility" or "antagonism" exist, using "enmity" underlines a profound and enduring state of conflict. When employing this term, ensure the context warrants its gravity, distinguishing it from milder disagreements. High-quality examples, as seen on Ludwig, cement its place in formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hostility

Replaces "enmity" with a more direct and common synonym.

Animosity

Implies deep-seated ill will and resentment.

Antagonism

Similar to "enmity", but may imply a more active form of opposition.

Ill will

A more general term for unfriendly feelings or intentions.

Rivalry

Suggests competition and opposition, often in a specific context.

Bad blood

An informal expression for long-standing resentment and hostility.

Hatred

A stronger and more intense form of dislike than "enmity".

Feuding

Focuses on a prolonged and bitter quarrel or conflict.

Discord

Highlights a lack of harmony or agreement.

Conflict

A broader term for any kind of struggle or disagreement.

FAQs

How to use "enmity" in a sentence?

"Enmity" is used to describe a state of hostility or antagonism between people or groups. For example, "The long-standing enmity between the two nations led to frequent conflicts."

What can I say instead of "enmity"?

You can use alternatives like "hostility", "antagonism", or "animosity" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "enmity" and "rivalry"?

"Enmity" implies a deeper and more hostile opposition than "rivalry", which often involves competition without necessarily including hatred.

Is "enmity" a formal word?

Yes, "enmity" is considered a formal word and is often used in serious or official contexts, such as news reports or academic writing.