hostility

[ho-stil-i-tee]

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

hostility

/ hɒˈstɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. enmity or antagonism

2. an act expressing enmity or opposition

3. (plural) fighting; warfare

Other Word Forms

• nonhostility noun
• overhostility noun
• prehostility noun
• semihostility 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

Example Sentences

The apparent fall in disability hate crime reports reflects "a lack of confidence in reporting, not a reduction in hostility", says Ali Gunn from disability charity United Response.

Read more on BBC

Some legal experts have described the attacks on boats as illegal, arguing that the military cannot lawfully target civilians, including criminal suspects, who don’t pose an imminent threat and are not participating in hostilities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But talks to rein in Iran’s nuclear program and prevent a resumption of hostilities have gone nowhere.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The worst damage to our “common community” owes to the identity politics pressed by the political left, which includes hostility to America’s founding principles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The war has been devastating for the Palestinian enclave and has vastly increased hostility between Israel and other Middle East nations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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