animosity

This term describes a deep-seated, active hostility that often persists over time. It carries a heavier emotional weight than simple dislike, suggesting a volatile or poisonous atmosphere of ill will that can lead to open conflict.

While it can describe a personal grudge, it is frequently used in political or social contexts to describe systemic friction between groups. It is an uncountable noun, meaning it does not have a plural form and cannot be counted with numbers; instead, it is measured in intensity or described using partitives like a feeling of animosity.