Synonyms of hostilities

hostilities

noun

plural of hostility

as in war

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

Both sides agreed to cease all hostilities.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hostilities

Carriers have felt more comfortable bringing ultra-large container vessels through the area even with the hostilities in the Middle East lingering. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

The bacterium’s hostilities were clear in the outbreak; most of the infected children developed symptoms within four days of the event, much faster than the usual incubation period of 4–10 days. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

The active hostilities between Washington and Tehran are largely focused on another critical trade route, the Strait of Hormuz. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

The country joined in 2025 and previously had signed an agreement to give the court jurisdiction over crimes on its territory, following the outbreak of hostilities with Russia in 2014. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Those moves come amid higher oil prices, with Brent crude futures hovering around $99 a barrel Tuesday amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East. — Sarah Min,hugh Leask, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Goldman's base case Goldman's forecast is based on an increase in hostilities in the Middle East. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Oil jumped by more than 5% to $95 a barrel, while Asian stocks slid over worries the latest attacks point to protracted hostilities. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

The administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, argued the war was over with a ceasefire and that hostilities then resumed. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026