hostility

[ ho-stil-i-tee ]

noun

, plural hos·til·i·ties.

1. a hostile state, condition, or attitude; enmity; antagonism; unfriendliness.

   Synonyms: hatred, ill will, animus, animosity

   Antonyms: friendliness

2. a hostile act.
3. opposition or resistance to an idea, plan, project, etc.
4. hostilities,
   1. acts of warfare.
   2. war ¹.

   Synonyms: conflict, fighting

   Antonyms: peace

hostility

/ hɒˈstɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. enmity or antagonism
2. an act expressing enmity or opposition
3. plural fighting; warfare

Other Words From

• nonhos·tili·ty noun
• over·hos·tili·ty noun
• prehos·tili·ty noun plural prehostilities
• semi·hos·tili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostility¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English hostilite, from Latin hostīlitās, from hostīl(is) ( hostile ) + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

A non-crime hate incident is where no criminal offence has been committed but the person reporting it believes the incident to be motivated by hostility.

From BBC

They must also be able to return to their homes after the end of hostilities in the area.

From BBC

Such comments have become more common following the recent series of Israeli strikes in various parts of the country which are outside the known areas of hostilities.

From BBC

Trump’s other consistent positions were hostility towards China’s influence on the continent and aversion to deploying American soldiers.

From BBC

“If there is a widespread lack of job security and huge pressure to survive... then society is bound to be full of problems, hostility and terror,” one user said on WeChat.

From BBC

Related Words

• aggression
• animosity
• antagonism
• antipathy
• bitterness
• enmity
• estrangement
• hatred
• ill will
• opposition
• rancor
• resentment
• war