hostility
noun
hos·til·i·ty
hä-ˈsti-lə-tē 
plural hostilities
1
a
: deep-seated usually mutual ill will
glad to have gotten through the divorce proceedings without any visible signs of hostility
showed open hostility toward outsiders
2
: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle
there was tension, there was hostility and envy in the air—
Theodor Reik
Theodor ReikSynonyms
Examples of hostility in a Sentence
They were both glad to have gotten through the divorce proceedings without any visible signs of hostility.
The townspeople showed open hostility to outsiders.
Peace talks were stalled after recent hostilities.
Both sides are calling for a cessation of hostilities.
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, shrinking the size and scope of government is a goal which could help the country, but reducing or trimming government programs for almost any constituency would be fraught with hostility and political costs.
—Frank Lavin, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Just more than 100 were released in late November 2023 during a pause in hostilities, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
—Keir Simmons, NBC News, 15 Jan. 2025
While the temporary pause in hostilities provides reprieve for the Gazan civilians, Hamas and their ideological allies are claiming the agreement as a victory.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Even today, more than a generation after the collapse of the Soviet Union, stepping out of line, defying the pressure to conform, can invite hostility or outright violence.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hostility 
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Frank Lavin, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Just more than 100 were released in late November 2023 during a pause in hostilities, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
—Keir Simmons, NBC News, 15 Jan. 2025
While the temporary pause in hostilities provides reprieve for the Gazan civilians, Hamas and their ideological allies are claiming the agreement as a victory.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Even today, more than a generation after the collapse of the Soviet Union, stepping out of line, defying the pressure to conform, can invite hostility or outright violence.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hostility
Dictionary Entries Near hostility
Cite this Entry
“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostility. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hostility
noun
hos·til·i·ty
hä-ˈstil-ət-ē
plural hostilities
1
: a hostile state, attitude, or action
2
plural
: acts of warfare
Medical Definition
hostility
noun
hos·til·i·ty
hä-ˈstil-ət-ē
plural hostilities
: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle
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