as in war
a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups
Both sides agreed to cease all hostilities.
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Recent Examples of hostilities
The resolution would prohibit unauthorized military hostilities in Iran without congressional approval.
—
Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2026
Outcome of this week’s indirect talks will be key to the direction of oil prices as traders weigh potential supply concerns if hostilities escalate.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
While there have been numerous attempts to end hostilities in Sudan, the fighting rages on, creating one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, including the first declaration of famine anywhere in years.
—semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its fifth year of hostilities on Tuesday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky went on a media offensive, speaking to several news outlets to reiterate the need for international pressure on Moscow and deflect criticisms about his own rule.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Ahead of the outbreak of hostilities, cargo theft had already been a significant problem in Mexico due to the excess violence that takes place during most incidents.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
After the king attempted to arrest lawmakers in the House of Commons in 1642, hostilities erupted into the English Civil War, which ended with victory for the parliamentary forces of Oliver Cromwell.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Israel’s ability to weaken major non-state actors aligned with Tehran, including Lebanese Hezbollah and Gaza’s Hamas, opened the door for direct hostilities between the two archrivals.
—Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
This year’s cohort of activists, while quieter than in the past as a result of the ongoing hostilities, is striving to amplify the voices suppressed and introduce emerging artists to a wider audience.
—Tina Ahmadi Krol, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2026
Outcome of this week’s indirect talks will be key to the direction of oil prices as traders weigh potential supply concerns if hostilities escalate.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
While there have been numerous attempts to end hostilities in Sudan, the fighting rages on, creating one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, including the first declaration of famine anywhere in years.
—semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its fifth year of hostilities on Tuesday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky went on a media offensive, speaking to several news outlets to reiterate the need for international pressure on Moscow and deflect criticisms about his own rule.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Ahead of the outbreak of hostilities, cargo theft had already been a significant problem in Mexico due to the excess violence that takes place during most incidents.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
After the king attempted to arrest lawmakers in the House of Commons in 1642, hostilities erupted into the English Civil War, which ended with victory for the parliamentary forces of Oliver Cromwell.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Israel’s ability to weaken major non-state actors aligned with Tehran, including Lebanese Hezbollah and Gaza’s Hamas, opened the door for direct hostilities between the two archrivals.
—Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
This year’s cohort of activists, while quieter than in the past as a result of the ongoing hostilities, is striving to amplify the voices suppressed and introduce emerging artists to a wider audience.
—Tina Ahmadi Krol, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostilities
Noun
-
Melissa Barrera, who starred in the fifth and sixth movies, was fired from the seventh installment in 2023 after expressing support for the Palestinian cause and criticizing Israeli actions in the Israel-Hamas war.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
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The tribute underscored the enduring legacy of the war, even as contemporary tensions on the peninsula went unaddressed in the speech.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images Four years of war between Russia and Ukraine are beginning to take their toll on the countries' demographics as the conflict puts women off — or prevents them — from starting or expanding their families.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Europe’s is a false economy, spending less now, but risking spending far more if the conflict spreads in the future.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hostilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostilities. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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