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

Additionally, China and Pakistan proposed a five-point plan to end the hostilities and restore traffic through the strait, a crucial waterway for about 20% of the world’s crude oil.

From MarketWatch

He said 51 primary healthcare centres and four hospitals had closed due to hostilities, with others damaged or operating at reduced capacities.

From BBC

Lebanese authorities said on Monday that the death toll since hostilities broke out between Hezbollah and Israel earlier this month continues to rise.

From Los Angeles Times

In the 1980s and 1990s, the gripe was “stick to reading, writing and ‘rithmetic,” which implies hostility toward expanding those lessons to more complex ideas like literary analysis, critical thinking, and higher math and sciences.

From Salon

Middle East hostilities have increased consumer pessimism about the economy, according to data released Friday.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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