hostility

noun

hos·​til·​i·​ty hä-ˈsti-lə-tē How to pronounce hostility (audio)
plural hostilities
Synonyms of hostilitynext
1
a
: 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.
2
: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle
there was tension, there was hostility and envy in the air—Theodor Reik

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
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.
The spike in homophobia and homophobic violence has led Ivorian gay communities and human rights groups to express concerns that the hostility could endanger the country's reputation for comparative tolerance. —Tess Foley-Cox, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024 Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, international alarm has arisen over the hostilities taking place around southern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP), which Russia captured at the start of the war. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 That fear stems from the hostility crypto experienced under the current administration. —Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 North Korea’s military joining the frontline hostilities in Ukraine will fall within the purview of investigations by the ICC, even without North Korea being a state party to the Rome Statute. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 1 Nov. 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

Dictionary Entries Near hostility

hostile witness

hostility

Hostimella

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostility. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

hostility

noun
hos·​til·​i·​ty hä-ˈstil-ət-ē How to pronounce hostility (audio)
plural hostilities
1
: a hostile state, attitude, or action
2
plural : acts of warfare

Medical Definition

hostility

noun
hos·​til·​i·​ty hä-ˈstil-ət-ē How to pronounce hostility (audio)
plural hostilities
: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle
hostile
ˈhäs-tᵊl How to pronounce hostility (audio) -ˌtīl How to pronounce hostility (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hostility

Nglish: Translation of hostility for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of hostility for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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