hostility
noun
hos·til·i·ty
hä-ˈsti-lə-tē 
plural hostilities
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
2
: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle
there was tension, there was hostility and envy in the air—
Theodor Reik
Theodor ReikSynonyms
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
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 
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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
Dictionary Entries Near hostility
Cite this Entry
“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostility. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hostility
noun
hos·til·i·ty
hä-ˈstil-ət-ē
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
plural hostilities
: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle
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