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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hostility The consequences of the increasingly urgent hostilities between Israel and Iran are multifold—humanitarian, geopolitical, and so on. Justin Worland, Time, 21 June 2025 The reported decision to identify three clerical successors highlights the threat to Khamenei's leadership as the hostilities between Iran and Israel continue. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025 As hostilities continue to rage between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, U.S. Ambassador to the Jewish state Mike Huckabee has indicated work is underway to provide options for Americans who want to evacuate. Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025 Their entire online presence will be reviewed, including their social media media activity, during the visa application process for indications of hostility toward the country’s citizens, culture, government, institutions and democratic principles. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hostility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility
Noun
  • There is a strong sense of hatred toward Netanyahu, whose calls for the Iranian public to take this opportunity to rise up and overthrow their leaders are seemingly falling flat.
    NBC News, NBC news, 19 June 2025
  • Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Global market sentiment is becoming more skittish over the conflict between Iran and Israel and the possibility of further U.S. involvement.
    Ganesh Rao,Jenni Reid,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 19 June 2025
  • China's energy supply from the Middle East could face severe disruptions as the Israel-Iran conflict threatens to spill over into a wider regional war.
    John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • And that is not to say that sometimes that anger wasn’t righteous, and sometimes those grudges weren’t deserved.
    Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Alongside impossibly strong grannies, Dana must also contend with a dangerous prisoner now enjoying some posthumous freedom and a gun-toting drug dynasty with one almighty grudge.
    Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • After Hamas conducted a surprise attack against Israel in October 2023, the group was backed in the ensuing war with Israel by Iran and its Axis of Resistance coalition of non-state actors in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk was also a close ally of Trump during the initial stages of the trade war, further complicating the business outlook for U.S. automakers in China.
    Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • These days, both chambers are bubbling cauldrons of animosity and partisan backbiting.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
  • Those writings are being investigated as a motive of animosity Wohl had toward judges, police and prosecutors, according to Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Taylor Holland.
    Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The growing antagonism towards tourists is in the face of still-growing travel––the World Travel & Tourism Council projected that this year 142 countries out of 185 will set records, especially to Europe, spending $11.1 trillion and accounting for 330 million jobs.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • Know More The flood of accusations and pointed fingers underscores the long-running antagonism between the companies, which offer similar services and compete for customers.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • The isle of Berk is an isolated, faraway land where the Vikings and dragons have been at enmity with one another for generations.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 12 June 2025
  • The flaming comet of enmity that streaked through the national conversation Thursday was spectacular.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • As strangers moments prior, the men had both been nervous that each another might be contending for the same lots, and one of them scooted to a seat farther away to ease the tension.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 23 June 2025
  • This is not only due to tensions like the ICE riots, but also the potential for other U.S. issues to escalate, like involvement in the war between Israel and Iran.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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