hostility

noun

hä-ˈsti-lə-tē How to pronounce hostility (audio)
Definition of hostilitynext
1
as in hatred
a deep-seated ill will a lingering hostility between the two neighbors ever since since they had that property-line dispute

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conflict
hostilities plural a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups Both sides agreed to cease all hostilities.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 One other nuance worth noting is the study makes a clear distinction between anger and hostility. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 11 July 2025 This surge in hostilities raises the possibility of drawing the U.S. back into direct military confrontation in the region. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 Last year, Pashinyan said that Armenia needs to quickly define the border with Azerbaijan to avoid a new round of hostilities. —Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 Though disparate impact theory is well-established by the law, Kim said, President Donald Trump has made clear his hostility for this form of discrimination by seeking to eliminate it through an executive order in April. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hostility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility
  1. hatred
  2. conflict
  3. grudge
  4. war
  5. animosity
  6. antagonism
  7. enmity
  8. tension
Noun
  • There’s a great tradition in sports of being driven by a fear, or a hatred, of that feeling.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • She’s been feeling so much hatred, so much anger, so much sadness, so much disappointment these last few episodes.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 July 2025
Definition of hatred
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
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • In the End, Tommy Fleetwood's Character Will Prevail Despite this awkward situation, Fleetwood has no plans to hold too many grudges about what happened.
    — Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
  • President Donald Trump singled out Brazil for import taxes of 50% on Wednesday for its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, showing that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader’s use of tariffs.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Definition of grudge
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
  • The team behind 20 Days In Mariupol documents the toll of the Russia-Ukraine war from a personal and devastating vantage point.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 25 July 2025
Definition of war
Noun
  • Despite the animosity between the two franchises, one star player managed to give his competitor their flowers.
    — Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
  • Daniels, a leader of the activist group known as The Heights Movement, said the animosity some feel toward Evendale goes beyond the old incorporation fight.
    — Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Definition of animosity
Noun
  • For years, shared antagonism toward the U.S. has been pushing China, Russia, and Iran together.
    — Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025
  • Given the humiliation Israel has already imposed, and the threat of regime-toppling force, Tehran may dial back its antagonism.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Definition of antagonism
Noun
  • Their dynamic seems born not of enmity but something almost more collaborative.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
  • This is a big call, as anti-U.S. enmity may have passed.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 June 2025
Definition of enmity
Noun
  • The move to resume sales of the H20 chips comes amid easing tensions between Washington and Beijing, with China relaxing controls on rare earth exports and the United States allowing chip design software services to resume in China.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
  • This has caused tension between Blondi, Kash, and Bongino.
    — Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Definition of tension

Browse Nearby Words

hostilities
hostility
hosts
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Cite this Entry

“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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