enmity

[ en-mi-tee ]

noun

, plural en·mi·ties.

1. a feeling or condition of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity; antagonism.

   Synonyms: rancor, acrimony, malice

2. (in a video game) the targeting for attack of a player character by an enemy, and the circumstance-specific strength of that targeting for any particular character; hate; aggro: Use the character’s ranged attack to get enmity.

   Your tank needs to be spamming “Provoke” at that mob to increase his enmity, or else it’s going to turn and target your mages.

   Use the character’s ranged attack to get enmity.

enmity

/ ˈɛnmɪtɪ /

noun

1. a feeling of hostility or ill will, as between enemies; antagonism

Word History and Origins

Origin of enmity¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enemite, enmite, from Old French enemi(s)tie, from unattested Vulgar Latin inimīcitāt- (stem of inimīcitās ), equivalent to Latin inimīc(us) “(personal ) enemy” + -itāt- abstract noun suffix; enemy, -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of enmity¹

C13: from Old French enemistié, from enemi enemy

Example Sentences

Though the state boasts ample oil reserves, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s climate policies and his enmity toward the oil industry is forcing a gradual wind-down of oil production.

From Los Angeles Times

Just ask Oasis co-founders Liam and Noel Gallagher, whose well-documented mutual enmity makes their upcoming reunion tour as much a source of morbid curiosity as of excitement.

From Los Angeles Times

A frontier attitude brims among older folks, some of whose grandchildren are homeschooled and whose enmity toward the government runs deep.

From Los Angeles Times

“To my Republican colleagues who introduced this resolution, I thank you. You honor me with your enmity. You flatter me with this falsehood,” the Burbank Democrat said.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent years, as Sunni-Shiite tensions have come to dominate Middle Eastern politics, especially as Iran has aggressively backed Shiite militias throughout the region, some Sunni leaders have formed alliances with Israel based on their common enmity toward Tehran.

From Slate

Related Words

• acrimony
• alienation
• animosity
• animus
• antagonism
• antipathy
• bad blood
• bitterness
• dislike
• hatred
• hostility
• ill will
• loathing
• malice
• rancor