Synonyms of hostility

hostility

noun

hä-ˈsti-lə-tē 

1

as in hatred

a deep-seated ill will

a lingering hostility between the two neighbors ever since since they had that property-line dispute

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hatred
• grudge
• bitterness
• animosity
• antagonism
• enmity
• tension
• rancor
• antipathy
• animus
• feud
• malice
• friction
• jaundice
• bad blood
• gall
• discord
• alienation
• vindictiveness
• disaffection
• loathing
• conflict
• virulence
• vendetta
• hate
• blood feud
• vitriol
• score
• unfriendliness
• estrangement
• spite
• malignity
• malignancy
• coolness
• venom
• spitefulness
• strain
• inhospitableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amity
• friendliness
• hospitality
• cordiality
• civility
• friendship
• sympathy
• neighborliness
• amiability
• understanding
• empathy
• goodwill
• comity
• amicability

2

as in conflict

hostilities plural a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups

Both sides agreed to cease all hostilities.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conflict
• war
• fighting
• warfare
• conflagration
• hot war
• civil war
• engagement
• cold war
• world war
• police action
• combat
• battle
• skirmish
• holy war
• action
• limited war

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• disarmament
• demobilization
• pacification
• truce
• tranquillity
• demilitarization
• calm
• tranquility
• peacefulness
• cease-fire

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun hostility differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hostility are animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, and rancor. While all these words mean "deep-seated dislike or ill will," hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

Where would animosity be a reasonable alternative to hostility?

The words animosity and hostility are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

When might animus be a better fit than hostility?

While the synonyms animus and hostility are close in meaning, animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

How do antipathy and antagonism relate to one another, in the sense of hostility?

Both antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility.

a natural antipathy for self-seekers

antagonism between the brothers

When can enmity be used instead of hostility?

Although the words enmity and hostility have much in common, enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

When is rancor a more appropriate choice than hostility?

The synonyms rancor and hostility are sometimes interchangeable, but rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

Examples of hostility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mikati said that Hezbollah has agreed to language that would restore an end of hostilities in accordance with United Nations Resolution 1701. —NBC News, 4 Oct. 2024

Ansari’s record: Climate bulldog Environmentalists’ hostility or ambivalence towards Ansari is striking in light of her track record on climate. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024

Low level hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah along the Israeli and Lebanese border have been bubbling for more than two decades, but tensions ratcheted up in the wake of the Hamas October 7 terror attacks on Southern Israel, which killed at least 1,100 people. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2024

Settling the maritime border issue eliminated a source of contention that could otherwise have led to hostilities that would have invariably undermined those natural gas ventures. —Mona Yacoubian, Foreign Affairs, 3 Oct. 2024