show animosity

USAGE SUMMARY

"show animosity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is mainly used to describe a situation where a person or group expresses dislike or bitterness towards another person or group. For example, "The two teams showed animosity towards each other during the match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"But in other parts, despite all our efforts, people still show animosity towards the army".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We don't know if it shows animosity, or it was just something to do".

The New York Times

"We do not like to see our neighbor supporting those who have shown animosity to us for 30 years," Mr. Ahmadinejad said in the speech broadcast from the southern city of Kerman.

The New York Times

In the latest of our series on Levittown, Pennsylvania, we look at how a teachers' strike shows animosity toward public employees has laid bare the tensions in America's long economic downturn.

BBC

According to his family, he became interested in his black heritage after leaving the military, but never showed animosity toward people of other races. .

Huffington Post

I never heard Wei Ziqi complain about the Olympics; nor did he show any animosity toward the hordes of "Free Tibet" protesters who were supposedly threatening the Great Wall.

The New Yorker

Having narcissistically googled my film, I also discovered this gem of a debate, which goes to show the animosity towards my southern roots and is also a good example of the divided audience (whoever Anonymous is I owe you a drink for the Noe and Loach comparison!!).

The Guardian - Film

Here's how.

Huffington Post

These scenes show the animosity between Brody and his wife's boss, and the selectmen voting to fire Brody; the Mayor (Murray Hamilton) is the only person to vote to save him.

Wikipedia

While both Trump and Schwarzenegger are Republicans with ties to the show, the animosity between the two is easy enough to decipher: Schwarzenegger very publicly announced before the presidential election that he would not vote for Trump ― the first time, he said, that he would not vote for the Republican candidate for president since he became a U.S. citizen in 1983.

Huffington Post

If you show the animosity Squidward shows to his neighbors, you might even get arrested.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "show animosity" when you want to describe an outward display of dislike or hostility between individuals or groups. Be mindful of the intensity you wish to convey, as it can range from mild resentment to outright aggression.

Common error

Avoid using "show animosity" when describing mere disagreement or differing opinions. Animosity implies a deeper, more hostile feeling than simple disagreement. Instead, reserve "show animosity" for scenarios where there is clear evidence of ill will and antagonism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show animosity" functions as a verb phrase, where "show" is the verb and "animosity" is the direct object. It describes the action of outwardly displaying hostile feelings. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "show animosity" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe the outward display of hostile feelings. While relatively uncommon, its use is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media, wiki, and science as well as in neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure that the situation warrants the description of real hostility rather than simple disagreement. Consider using synonyms such as "display hostility" or "express resentment" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

display hostility

This alternative suggests a more overt and aggressive expression of dislike, implying a greater intensity than simply "show animosity".

express resentment

This phrase focuses on the feeling of bitterness and injustice that is being conveyed, highlighting the emotional aspect of animosity.

reveal antagonism

This suggests that the animosity was previously hidden or not apparent, and is now being unveiled or made known.

manifest bitterness

This alternative emphasizes the deep-seated nature of the negative feelings and their outward expression.

evince displeasure

This implies a more formal and restrained display of negative feelings, suggesting a lack of satisfaction or approval.

demonstrate antipathy

A more formal alternative, it suggests a deep-seated aversion or dislike, often based on principle or ingrained feelings.

harbor ill will

This focuses on the internal state of holding negative feelings, suggesting a sustained and potentially malicious intent.

bear a grudge

This highlights a long-lasting feeling of resentment, often stemming from a past offense or injustice.

nurse a grievance

Similar to bearing a grudge, this emphasizes the act of holding onto and nurturing a feeling of resentment over time.

exhibit animus

This formal term suggests a strong and often prejudiced dislike, potentially leading to biased actions or opinions.

FAQs

How can I use "show animosity" in a sentence?

You can use "show animosity" to describe situations where individuals or groups display hostile feelings toward one another. For example, "The opposing political parties often "show animosity" during debates."

What are some synonyms for "show animosity"?

Alternatives to "show animosity" include phrases like "display hostility", "express resentment", or "reveal antagonism". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "shown animosity" instead of "show animosity"?

Yes, "shown animosity" is grammatically correct. It is the past participle form of the verb and is used in different contexts. For example, "They have "shown animosity" in the past."

What's the difference between "show animosity" and "harbor ill will"?

"Show animosity" refers to an outward display of negative feelings, while "harbor ill will" describes an internal state of holding negative feelings. One is an action, the other is a condition.