hostility

American  

[ho-stil-i-tee] / hɒˈstɪl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

hostilities

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.

   Synonyms:

   conflict, fighting

   Antonyms:

   peace

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hostility British  

/ hɒˈstɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. enmity or antagonism

2. an act expressing enmity or opposition

3. (plural) fighting; warfare

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Other Word Forms

• nonhostility noun
• overhostility noun
• prehostility noun
• semihostility noun

Etymology

Origin of hostility

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

Example Sentences

Lebanese officials say they are on pace to demilitarize southern Lebanon as part of the agreement that halted hostility between Israel and Hezbollah in late 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ongoing assaults highlighted the gap between the diplomatic narrative and the realities on the ground, underscoring that a cease-fire or concrete halt in hostilities remained far from agreed.

From Salon

"A full resumption of hostilities could have serious ramifications on regional peace and security," he said, urging parties to deescalate tensions.

From Barron's

Such hostility had been anticipated by Donald, who issued virtual reality headsets to help prepare his players.

From BBC

I’m not saying that those narratives are morally equivalent, or that some vague sense of historical grievance and perceived hostility is a valid excuse for launching an unprovoked war against a neighboring country.

From Salon

Related Words

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