HOSTILITY Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hostility

noun

hä-ˈsti-lə-tē

Definition of hostility next

as in hatred

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

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as in conflict

hostilities plural a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups Both sides agreed to cease all hostilities.

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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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web Intolerance, superstition, hostility towards all things foreign and diabolical intrigues at the royal court are his biggest enemies. —

Leo Barraclough, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024 All the while, the Jensens (young Julia included) treat her with a shifting mix of condescending paternalism and low-grade hostility. —

Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2024 At the same time, the rise of Armenian nationalism and the pursuit of an independent state intensified hostility and conflict in the Empire. —

Türkay Salim Nefes, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2024 Markets have been mired in the Middle East conflict, which now poses substantial risks to oil supplies, if Israel answers the latest Iranian hostilities with strikes targeting Tehran’s energy infrastructure and export facilities. —

Ece Yildirim,ruxandra Iordache,natasha Turak, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hostility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility

Noun

At the same time, there is still an intense hatred among many entities surrounding Israel that want to see its demise.

Karl Vick, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
People like that fill me with violent hostility and even hatred.

Yukio Mishima, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024

Definition of hatred

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“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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Last Updated: 4 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of hostility

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Examples of hostility in a Sentence

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