harbor animosity

USAGE SUMMARY

"harbor animosity" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone who holds feelings of resentment or hostility towards another person. For example: "Despite their friendly facade, she continued to harbor animosity towards her former colleague." Alternative expressions include "hold resentment" and "nurture hostility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It says they no longer harbor animosity toward each other".

The New York Times

But Mizer didn't seem to harbor animosity for "sissies"; his hatred was for the world's hatred, and he used physical fitness as a tool of survival in perniciously polite society.

The New Yorker

It is unclear what fresh insight we are meant to gain from your June 25 front-page report ("View From New York Streets: No Retreat by Police") that adolescent men who congregate on the street to smoke marijuana and drink alcohol harbor animosity toward the police who arrest them for it.

The New York Times

While separating couples can obviously harbor animosity towards each other, it is your duty to protect your children from the fallout of divorce.

Huffington Post

They remain staunch nationalists seeking Chechen independence and the majority do not harbor animosity toward the United States, a country that has repeatedly criticized Russia's tactics in the Caucasus and granted asylum to leaders of the Chechen resistance. .

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

After six years, the Safts moved to a larger co-op at 1040 Park, a building that still harbored animosity traceable to a 20-year-old feud over a $60,000 redecoration of the lobby.

The New York Times

Sibley told HuffPost that he is filing his lawsuits not because he harbors animosity toward Obama but because he seeks to defend the rule of law.

Huffington Post

I harbor no animosity.

The New York Times

"My clients harbor no animosity towards him," he continued.

The New York Times - Food

I don't harbor any animosity toward them at all".

The New York Times - Sports

A white social worker said in a conversation that it irritated him that all whites are presumed to harbor racial animosity every time they accidentally stub a black toe, as once happened to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harbor animosity" to describe a situation where someone secretly or internally holds feelings of resentment or hostility. It suggests a hidden or unexpressed negative emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "harbor animosity" when describing open, active conflict. The phrase implies a hidden or suppressed feeling, not an overt display of aggression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harbor animosity" functions as a verb phrase where "harbor" acts as a transitive verb taking "animosity" as its direct object. It describes the action of holding or concealing feelings of hostility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harbor animosity" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of secretly holding onto feelings of resentment or hostility. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. Though relatively rare, it frequently appears in News & Media sources. If you're looking for alternatives, consider options like "hold a grudge" or "nurture resentment", but remember to use "harbor animosity" when you want to emphasize the concealed nature of these negative feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold resentment

A direct synonym, focusing on the act of keeping resentment within.

harbor ill will

Indicates a general feeling of malice or unkindness.

hold bitterness

Expresses the act of retaining bitter feelings.

nurture resentment

This implies actively fostering and maintaining feelings of resentment.

foster bitterness

Implies encouraging and developing feelings of bitterness.

hold antipathy

This option is a more formal way of saying "hold animosity", indicating a strong dislike.

hold a grudge

This alternative suggests a longer-lasting and more active form of animosity, implying a desire for retribution.

bear a grudge

Similar to "hold a grudge", it emphasizes carrying the negative feeling over time.

bear malice

Expresses a deep-seated intention to do harm, a more intense form of animosity.

nurse a grievance

This alternative suggests tending to a specific cause of complaint or resentment.

FAQs

What does it mean to "harbor animosity"?

To "harbor animosity" means to secretly or internally hold feelings of resentment, ill will, or hostility towards someone. It suggests a hidden, rather than openly expressed, negative emotion.

What are some alternatives to saying "harbor animosity"?

You can use alternatives like "hold a grudge", "nurture resentment", or "bear a grudge" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "harbor animosity"?

Yes, "harbor animosity" is grammatically correct. The verb "harbor" is used to describe the act of secretly holding onto a feeling, and "animosity" refers to strong dislike or hostility.

What is the difference between "harbor animosity" and "express animosity"?

"Harbor animosity" implies keeping feelings of dislike hidden, while "express animosity" means openly showing those feelings through words or actions. The former is internal, while the latter is external.