Synonym Chooser

How does the noun hostility differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hostility are animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

Where would animosity be a reasonable alternative to hostility?

The words animosity and hostility are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

When might animus be a better fit than hostility?

While the synonyms animus and hostility are close in meaning, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

How do antipathy and antagonism relate to one another, in the sense of hostility?

Both 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

When can enmity be used instead of hostility?

Although the words enmity and hostility have much in common, enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

When is rancor a more appropriate choice than hostility?

The synonyms rancor and hostility are sometimes interchangeable, but rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

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 hostility 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 Even before the tariffs, the economic uncertainty created by the Republican Party’s hostility to anything climate-adjacent was beginning to torpedo a potential engine of job growth. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 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 If there is a hostility toward her, there is also a fear. David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hostility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility
Noun
  • That ecstatic communal experience is a glorious moment of freedom for oppressed people, most of them living hand-to-mouth in an environment of hatred and exploitation.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In fact, her personal hatred of gripping challenges even served as her Survivor hot take below.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • What Happens Next Talks are currently underway between the U.S, Russia, and Ukraine, to potentially bring an end to the conflict.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Your company's purpose should be nonnegotiable and a source of inspiration, especially during times of conflict.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • An armed man accused of walking into a Walgreens location in California and shooting an employee to death this week allegedly had a grudge against corporate pharmacies, police said.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Theater owners gathered inside the Colosseum Theater at Caesar’s Palace on Monday didn’t seem to hold any grudges, and gave a warm welcome to the exec.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war and challenged Canada’s sovereignty.
    Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Not only did the Secretary of Defense share details of a war plan on a group chat, but the general public and people serving in the military are now wondering what other group chats may exist, and what other information may be out there, shared accidentally.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The animosity between the rival factions — one backing President Salva Kiir and another backing his deputy Riek Machar — has threatened to upheave the already shaky 2018 peace deal after dozens were killed following Machar’s recent arrest late last month, according to the outlet.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Duke may be one of the most celebrated programs in college basketball, but that admiration comes with just as much animosity.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There’s still no ceasefire over the physical remains of the Houston Oilers, now the Titans, and the ongoing feud is defined by petty antagonism and proxy wars.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But to get up and running, Valley Link needs more state and regional funding, especially considering the Trump administration’s antagonism toward environmentally friendly projects.
    Jerry McNerney, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • As the war in Ukraine escalated and the enmity between Moscow and its Western rivals deepened, Lukashenko's apparent hesitance to fully commit to the conflict seems to have bought him some level of freedom from retaliation.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Meet hate with love, and enmity with kindness.
    Big Think, Big Think, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Despite escalating trade tensions and market turbulence since Trump took office in January, the economy remains in solid shape by several key measures.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Taylor compared the tension producers navigate to that of the lawyers in the room.
    Lauren Coates, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hostility

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