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 Believed to have lived in isolation for thousands of years, the tribe has fiercely protected its independence, often meeting outsiders with hostility. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 In the Denver area, hostility toward federal agents has been rising for months, and a group of activists inspired in part by Vizguerra have been swarming the area whenever someone reports the presence of ICE or DEA agents. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025 The Trump administration’s scofflaw tendencies and tech companies’ increasing hostility toward European values may lead to the collapse of the EU-U.S. arrangements on which tech companies such as Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft depend. Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025 George Leef made note of the outlet’s conspicuous hostility toward the capitalist enterprise. Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hostility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility
Noun
  • That ecstatic communal experience is a glorious moment of freedom for oppressed people, most of them living hand-to-mouth in an environment of hatred and exploitation.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In fact, her personal hatred of gripping challenges even served as her Survivor hot take below.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Houthis claim to have destroyed 17 Reaper drones since the Red Sea conflict began, worth about $30 million each.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
  • This comes after the issue became a bitter fight in the House, with the legislative body even adjourning last week during the conflict.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • An armed man accused of walking into a Walgreens location in California and shooting an employee to death this week allegedly had a grudge against corporate pharmacies, police said.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Theater owners gathered inside the Colosseum Theater at Caesar’s Palace on Monday didn’t seem to hold any grudges, and gave a warm welcome to the exec.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war and challenged Canada’s sovereignty.
    Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • What to know about Defense Secretary amid leak of war plans The Associated Press reported in 2021 that 12 members of the National Guard were removed from Biden's swearing-in ceremony because of concerns about ties to extremist groups.
    James Powel, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The animosity between the rival factions — one backing President Salva Kiir and another backing his deputy Riek Machar — has threatened to upheave the already shaky 2018 peace deal after dozens were killed following Machar’s recent arrest late last month, according to the outlet.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Duke may be one of the most celebrated programs in college basketball, but that admiration comes with just as much animosity.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There’s still no ceasefire over the physical remains of the Houston Oilers, now the Titans, and the ongoing feud is defined by petty antagonism and proxy wars.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But to get up and running, Valley Link needs more state and regional funding, especially considering the Trump administration’s antagonism toward environmentally friendly projects.
    Jerry McNerney, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • On the homefront, there is the bitter enmity between the CPS honchos and the Chicago Teachers Union over ongoing contract negotiations.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
  • On a hot streak, Predator and Die Hard director John McTiernan keeps ratcheting up the tension as his two leads get closer to each other, building to a climax that, at the time at least, played like a farewell to American and Russian enmity.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Despite escalating trade tensions and market turbulence since Trump took office in January, the economy remains in solid shape by several key measures.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Taylor compared the tension producers navigate to that of the lawyers in the room.
    Lauren Coates, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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