# antipathy

/ænˈtɪpəθi/ (US) · /æntˈɪpəθˌi/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/antipathy
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a strong dislike or opposition to someone or something. It is a very formal word for a feeling of deep hatred or anger.

For teachers: a strong feeling of opposition, hostility, or aversion. Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a deep-seated dislike.

## Examples

- He has a natural antipathy toward loud noises.
- The politician's antipathy toward the new tax law led him to vote against the entire proposal.
- The novel explores the protagonist's growing antipathy toward the social elite, eventually leading him to abandon his inheritance and live in the countryside.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.