enmity

This is not just simple dislike. It is a deep, bitter feeling of hatred or hostility, often between people or groups that have been in conflict for a long time. Think of feuding families in a Shakespeare play. You might dislike a rude driver, but this word is better for someone or something that has caused serious hurt and lasting bad feeling. It sounds strong and serious, so people do not usually use it for small everyday annoyances.

Enmity describes a feeling of deep, lasting hatred or hostility. It goes beyond simple dislike and suggests serious bad feeling, often built over time through conflict, betrayal, or rivalry. The word comes through Old French from Latin and has long been connected with ideas of hostility and strife.

Historically, it has often been used for the relationship between nations, tribes, or other groups in conflict or at war. Ancient rivalries, political struggles, and long-running feuds are all good examples. But it also works for personal relationships. A betrayal by a friend, a family feud, or a bitter rivalry can all create this kind of deep hostility.

You are more likely to see this word in literature, history, or formal writing than in casual conversation, because it sounds weighty and serious. Shakespeare used it for intense hatred between characters, and Romeo and Juliet is a famous example, with the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets shaping the whole tragedy.

If you say that someone feels enmity toward another person or group, you mean the feeling is much stronger than disagreement or annoyance. It suggests deep resentment, hostility, and a relationship damaged by serious conflict. So while you might dislike your neighbor's loud music, this word is better saved for much more bitter and lasting opposition.