as in war
a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups
Both sides agreed to cease all hostilities.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of hostilities
These meetings initially took place virtually and then in person across different capitals, seeking a cessation of hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
But Putin had other ideas, tying a halt in hostilities to the West readmitting certain Russian banks into the West’s financial network.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
But even if Hamas and Israel hammer out a new, short-term agreement to halt hostilities, Gaza is unlikely to see real peace any time soon.
—Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2025
That’s such an important point, particularly with what’s going on in the world now, and the hostilities towards not just science, but literally universities.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
Calls to pause hostilities grew in the wake of the latest quake.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
With both sides at odds over Iran's nuclear program and maritime security, this incident could further escalate hostilities.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Ukraine’s General Staff denied the allegations, saying in a statement Wednesday that Russia’s claims were part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at justifying continued hostilities.
—Illia Novikov and Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
And a 2022 truce brokered by the United Nations has brought a reduction in hostilities but hasn’t ended the conflict.
—Abdulghani Aqlan, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025
Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
But Putin had other ideas, tying a halt in hostilities to the West readmitting certain Russian banks into the West’s financial network.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
But even if Hamas and Israel hammer out a new, short-term agreement to halt hostilities, Gaza is unlikely to see real peace any time soon.
—Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2025
That’s such an important point, particularly with what’s going on in the world now, and the hostilities towards not just science, but literally universities.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
Calls to pause hostilities grew in the wake of the latest quake.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
With both sides at odds over Iran's nuclear program and maritime security, this incident could further escalate hostilities.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Ukraine’s General Staff denied the allegations, saying in a statement Wednesday that Russia’s claims were part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at justifying continued hostilities.
—Illia Novikov and Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
And a 2022 truce brokered by the United Nations has brought a reduction in hostilities but hasn’t ended the conflict.
—Abdulghani Aqlan, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostilities
Noun
-
The cumulative effect of crises on top of crises — from war, to daily explosions suspected to be sabotage, to skyrocketing inflation, to water and power cuts — has many Iranians reeling.—
Leily Nikounazar Arash Khamooshi,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
Nearly 150 out of the 190 U.N. member states now do so, including several other European countries—Spain, Ireland and Norway—that have formally recognized Palestine since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
These negotiations come at a particularly fraught moment, following a 12-day conflict triggered by Israeli attacks on Iranian targets.—
Amir Daftari
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
More than 130,000 people have been evacuated from conflict areas in Thailand, where the death toll rose to 15 as of early Friday, 14 of those civilians, according to the health ministry.—
Shoon Naing,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hostilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostilities. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share