hostility

noun

hos·til·i·ty hä-ˈsti-lə-tē

plural hostilities

Synonyms of hostility next

: deep-seated usually mutual ill will

glad to have gotten through the divorce proceedings without any visible signs of hostility

showed open hostility toward outsiders

b(1)

: hostile action

the Spanish expedition encountered hostility … and was forced to flee—

R. W. Murray

(2)

hostilities plural : overt acts of warfare : war

Peace talks were stalled after recent hostilities.

: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle

there was tension, there was hostility and envy in the air—

Theodor Reik

Choose the Right Synonym for hostility

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will.

enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility.

a natural antipathy for self-seekers

antagonism between the brothers

animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

Examples of hostility in a Sentence

They were both glad to have gotten through the divorce proceedings without any visible signs of hostility. The townspeople showed open hostility to outsiders. Peace talks were stalled after recent hostilities. Both sides are calling for a cessation of hostilities.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

On several occasions tensions between the two countries — NATO allies divided by deep historical antagonisms — have stirred powerful nationalist passions and brought them to the brink of hostilities. —

Alan Cowell, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025 In it, Elphaba and Galinda profess their undying friendship; suffice it to say that Grande found the notion of treating her co-star with violent hostility an acting challenge. —

Daniel D'addario, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025 Demonstrators participate in a rally demanding an end to the hostilities in Gaza, Nov. 24. —

Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Dec. 2024 Security guarantees for Ukraine that are directly tied to the cessation of hostilities can advance all three of these objectives. —

Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hostility

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hostilite, hostilitie, borrowed from Late Latin hostīlitāt-, hostīlitās, from Latin hostīlis "of an enemy, hostile" + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of hostility was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostility. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

hostility

noun

hos·til·i·ty hä-ˈstil-ət-ē

plural hostilities

: a hostile state, attitude, or action

plural : acts of warfare

Medical Definition

hostility

noun

hos·til·i·ty hä-ˈstil-ət-ē

plural hostilities

: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle

hostile

ˈhäs-tᵊl

-ˌtīl

adjective

Last Updated: 9 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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hostility

noun

Synonyms

Examples of hostility in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near hostility

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition