hostility

noun hos·til·i·ty \ hä-ˈsti-lə-tē \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: hostility in a Sentence

Definition of hostility

plural hostilities

1 a : deep-seated usually mutual ill will

glad to have gotten through the divorce proceedings without any visible signs of hostility

showed open hostility toward outsiders

b (1) : hostile action

the Spanish expedition encountered hostility … and was forced to flee
—R. W. Murray

(2) hostilities plural : overt acts of warfare : war

Peace talks were stalled after recent hostilities.

2 : conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle

there was tension, there was hostility and envy in the air
—Theodor Reik

See hostility defined for English-language learners

See hostility defined for kids

Examples of hostility in a Sentence

They were both glad to have gotten through the divorce proceedings without any visible signs of hostility.
The townspeople showed open hostility to outsiders.
Peace talks were stalled after recent hostilities.
Both sides are calling for a cessation of hostilities.

Recent Examples of hostility from the Web

Her arrival is met with open hostility by a U.S. Army officer (Sam Rockwell), which in turns causes tension between the artist and the townspeople.

— lexy perez, The Hollywood Reporter, "Jessica Chastain Journeys to Paint Sitting Bull in 'Woman Walks Ahead' (Exclusive Clip)," 18 June 2018
People who used to get along may come to see each other with virulent hostility...?

— sylvia brownrigg, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘My Ex-Life,’ by Stephen McCauley," 14 June 2018
The North has cited military drills between the United States and South Korea as a prime example of US hostility, calling them rehearsals for invasion.

— BostonGlobe.com, "After North Korea meeting, reactions range from deep skepticism to guarded optimism," 13 June 2018
When open hostilities ended in 1953 — North and South Korea are still technically at war — the support forces of both sides’ allies remained on the ground.

— olivia b. waxman, Time, "President Trump Says He'll Stop Joint Military Exercises With South Korea. Here's Why U.S. Troops Are There in the First Place," 12 June 2018
The summit is unprecedented largely due to the two countries’ volatile history, and the path toward negotiations has been fraught with hostility.

— katherine nails, Philly.com, "U.S.-North Korea relations: Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un to have summit in Singapore," 11 June 2018
And when some women tried growing out their body hair for 10 weeks, they were met with hostility.

— kiera carter, Marie Claire, "Why Is Women's Body Hair Still Offensive?," 8 June 2018
By a 7-2 vote, the court said Jack Phillips, the Colorado baker, was treated with hostility and bias by a state commission that concluded his actions violated a state anti-discrimination law.

— david g. savage, latimes.com, "Supreme Court rules for Christian cake baker but voices support for gay rights too," 4 June 2018
Barbish reacted with hostility to her sudden back talk.

— michael lapointe, The Atlantic, "The Twisted Tale of the World’s Largest Pearl," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hostility.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hostility

see hostile

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

hostility Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of hostility

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will. enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

- an unspoken enmity

hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

- hostility between the two nations

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

animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

- animosity that led to revenge

rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

- rancor filled every line of his letters

animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

- objections devoid of personal animus

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

HOSTILITY Defined for English Language Learners

hostility

noun

Definition of hostility for English Language Learners

: an unfriendly or hostile state, attitude, or action
hostilities : acts of fighting in a war

HOSTILITY Defined for Kids

hostility

noun hos·til·i·ty \ hä-ˈsti-lə-tē \

Definition of hostility for Students

plural hostilities

1 : an unfriendly or hostile state, attitude, or action

They showed no hostility toward strangers.

2 hostilities plural : acts of warfare

Medical Dictionary

hostility

noun hos·til·i·ty \ hä-ˈstil-ət-ē \

medical Definition of hostility

plural hostilities

: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle

—

hostile

play \ˈhäs-tᵊl, -ˌtīl\ adjective

Learn More about hostility

See words that rhyme with hostility Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hostility Spanish Central: Translation of hostility Nglish: Translation of hostility for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hostility for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up hostility? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

hostility

Definition of hostility

Examples of hostility in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hostility from the Web

Origin and Etymology of hostility

hostility Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of hostility

Other Military Terms

HOSTILITY Defined for English Language Learners

hostility

Definition of hostility for English Language Learners

HOSTILITY Defined for Kids

hostility

Definition of hostility for Students

Medical Dictionary

hostility

medical Definition of hostility

hostile

Learn More about hostility

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

What It Means to Go ‘Radio Silent’

Words for Summer: A Quiz

If the Shoe Fits

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

Ghost Word