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

Related Words

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