1
as in hatred
a deep-seated ill will
a lingering hostility between the two neighbors ever since since they had that property-line dispute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conflict
hostilities plural
a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups
Both sides agreed to cease all hostilities.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
It isn't intended to be enhanced by treating the inmate with hostility and cruelty.
—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Still, Israel’s formal place in international soccer has done little to shield its teams and supporters from hostility.
—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2026
The two nations agreed on Sunday to pause hostilities and allow commercial vessels to cross freely through the Strait of Hormuz.
—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
29 June 2026
Peace under these conditions is little more than a postponement of hostilities, and the risks of appeasement are always high.
—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hostility
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Still, Israel’s formal place in international soccer has done little to shield its teams and supporters from hostility.
—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2026
The two nations agreed on Sunday to pause hostilities and allow commercial vessels to cross freely through the Strait of Hormuz.
—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
29 June 2026
Peace under these conditions is little more than a postponement of hostilities, and the risks of appeasement are always high.
—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hostility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility
Noun
-
Disciples of this extremist hatred are running for office and winning in select primaries.
-
But to the man himself, comedy is—like life—first and foremost about hatred of death.
Noun
-
China has helped cushion the global oil shock, seen its clean energy tech exports surge and framed the war in Iran as another example in which Chinese leadership could supersede the US in ending global conflicts.
-
The characters are all in a continual state of collision, their shifting conflicts inflamed by Coriolanus’ arrogantly uncompromising nature.
Noun
-
Most weddings have some logistical drama — exes with grudges, estranged former besties, etc.
-
That's a grudge he's carried that he's described publicly.
Noun
-
Alnaji was part of a pro-Palestinian group protesting over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Kessler was demonstrating in support of Israel, authorities have said.
-
The war period saw its own moments of threats to rights, such as suspending habeas corpus, the legal mechanism to prevent arbitrary detention.
Noun
-
In the case of Alito and Thomas, there is also a striking note of bitterness.
-
Looking back now, however, there is no bitterness attached to that chapter.
Noun
-
The match is expected to be brutal with much animosity between the two competitors.
-
Others warned that Emmer’s comments and the growing animosity towards Somali- and Muslim-American communities marked a regression to a more bigoted era in the United States.
Noun
-
Reynolds uses the modern expression culture war to describe the mutual antagonism; that feels right.
-
Ben Green, assistant professor of information at the University of Michigan, told Fortune there’s meanwhile abundant signs that antagonism toward data centers is real and organic.
Noun
-
After Cape Fear anchors us in those assurances, the men’s enmity continues manipulating our expectations and our beliefs.
-
Lalas’ apparent delight in courting the enmity of the American viewing public also extends to his co-hosts—so much so that his early verbal scuffles with Zlatan Ibrahimović have gone more viral than whooping cough.
Cite this Entry
“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
