hostility
Americannoun
plural
hostilitiesnoun
-
enmity or antagonism
-
an act expressing enmity or opposition
-
(plural) fighting; warfare
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hostility
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English hostilite, from Latin hostīlitās, from hostīl(is) ( see hostile) + -itās -ity
Explanation
Hostility is the state of ill will and bad feeling. If a teacher embarrasses you in front of the whole class, you will probably regard him or her with hostility for the remainder of the school year. Hostility can be used to describe aggressive relations between two countries as well as between people. The issue of territorial borders can often cause hostility between neighboring countries. If actual fighting breaks out, use the word hostilities to refer to the violent actions between them. The ordinary citizens of the countries involved will look forward to the end of hostilities when the two governments are able to work together for peace.
Vocabulary lists containing hostility
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 16–19
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Franklin D. Roosevelt, "A Date That Will Live In Infamy" (1941)
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Maus I: My Father Bleeds History
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hostility to entrepreneurship cost jobs, and unemployment remained high.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025
Hostility toward its volunteers has seeped into mainstream politics.
From Slate • Oct. 22, 2025
"Hostility to human rights is at its heart and no amendments can salvage it," she said.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2024
Hostility to the U.S. has always been a rallying point for Iran's clerical establishment, despite political isolation and sanctions-related economic hardship since Washington severed ties with Tehran shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution.
From Reuters • Sep. 18, 2023
Hostility between the Germans and Czechs in Bohemia.
From An Introduction to the History of Western Europe by Robinson, James Harvey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
