hostility

American  

[ho-stil-i-tee] / hɒˈstɪl ɪ ti /

noun

hostilities plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• hostilities
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hostility hostilities

In 2015, then president Barack Obama attempted a rapprochement with the Cuban government, hoping a more diplomatic approach would yield better relations after a half-century of hostility.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

McCullum admitted to over-estimating the younger players' preparedness for the hostility faced on and off the field during an Ashes tour.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

"For example, there may be people who automatically expect criticism, rejection or hostility from others, and therefore interpret situations through this filter despite the fact that reality does not warrant it."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 1, 2026

That can sound especially appealing as hyperscalers across the U.S. face increasing hostility over the construction of new data centers required to fuel the creation and deployment of powerful AI models.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026

They spoke like a team, without any hostility or blame.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

Still, oil traders are holding out hope that the hostilities are a short-term disruption rather than a long-term shock.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 26, 2026

The recently resumed hostilities with Iran are not going well.

From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2026

Surveys released by S&P Global Friday pointed to a rebound in activity following the memorandum, although that might prove to be short-lived if hostilities continue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Second-quarter net profit rose to 1.27 billion euros from 929 million euros in the first quarter, despite the company having no assets in the Middle East, where hostilities have fuelled higher crude prices.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

Lee writes another letter to Grant, asking for “a suspension of the hostilities pending the adjustment of the terms of the surrender of this army.”

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

Related Words

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