Antipathy, n.; pl. Antipathies.
Etymology: [L. antipathia, Gr. antipathie. See Pathos.]
1. Contrariety or opposition in feeling; settled aversion or dislike; repugnance; distaste. Inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments to others, are to be avoided. Washington.
2. Natural contrariety; incompatibility; repugnancy of qualities; as, oil and water have antipathy. A habit is generated of thinking that a natural antipathy exists between hope and reason. I. Taylor.
Note: Any is opposed to sympathy. It is followed by to, against, or between; also sometimes by for.
Syn. -- Hatred; aversion; dislike; disgust; distaste; enmity; ill will; repugnance; contrariety; opposition. See Dislike.
Shades of meaning
Antipathy, repugnance, and uncongeniality are instinctive; other forms of dislike may be acquired or cherished for cause. Uncongeniality is negative, a want of touch or sympathy. An antipathy to a person or thing is an instinctive recoil from connection or association with that person or thing, and may be physical or mental, or both. Antagonism may result from the necessity of circumstances; opposition may spring from conflicting views or interests; abhorrence and detestation may be the result of religious and moral training; distaste and disgust may be acquired; aversion is a deep and permanent dislike. A natural antipathy may give rise to opposition which may result in hatred and hostility. Compare acrimony; anger; enmity; hatred.
Prepositions
Antipathy to (less frequently for or against) a person or thing; antipathy between or betwixt two persons or things.