hostility
Americannoun
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hostilities
plural
noun
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enmity or antagonism
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an act expressing enmity or opposition
-
(plural) fighting; warfare
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
That hostility from politicians, churches, medicine, and public opinion found its echo in dismissal by the courts.
From Slate ● Aug. 3, 2026
In a statement, Milei said the measure was in response to "recent displays of hostility against the Argentine republic and Argentines."
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Published during the Depression, when hostility to Wall Street ran high, this rollicking portrait of the former era’s business titans was a hit that popularized the phrase of its title.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
It was thrilling stuff from England's new-ball bowlers, who both went over 90mph to produce the kind of hostility the hosts believed would bring success in Test cricket.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
First surprise flitted over his features, then it ossified to hostility.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Gas-station receipts slid almost 1% last month, but renewed hostilities with Iran has pushed fuel costs back up.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
When hostilities kicked off in the Middle East earlier this year, the gold price corrected 20% while copper’s held steady.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026
The resumption of hostilities has caused global oil prices, which had dipped during the initial ceasefire, to rise once more.
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
Oil prices ended July with their largest monthly gain since March after hostilities between the U.S. and Iran flared again.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
Harry had the impression that the Minister was wondering whether it was worthwhile opening hostilities this early.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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.
