Words / C2

an-TIP-uh-thee/ænˈtɪpəθi/

Antipathy is a strong dislike (formal): antipathy to / towards, mutual antipathy. Dislike is everyday; apathy (already in the dictionary) is not caring — a cruel mix-up. Antithesis (already in the dictionary) is the opposite thing. Do not diagnose a methods disagreement as antipathy.

Meaning

A strong feeling of dislike (formal).

Examples

• “Antipathy to night teaching does not show up as a methods section.”
• “Antipathy to night teaching is a staffing problem, not a methods section.”
• “Dislike is everyday. Apathy is indifference. Antithesis is the opposite. Sympathy is the feeling-with opposite family. A stats dispute can be technical, not personal antipathy.”

Good to know

Deep dislike (formal). Everyday: dislike. Mix-ups: apathy (indifference); antithesis (the opposite). Not every technical disagreement.

Near in meaning

dislike

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