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
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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.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hostility
Presidents have regularly acted unilaterally to enter significant hostilities on the basis of those opinions, including in the Korean War, in Kosovo, and in Libya.
—
Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 28 June 2025
International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Grossi said Wednesday that Iran must quickly resume cooperation with international inspectors, telling French broadcaster France 2 that the IAEA had lost visibility over sensitive nuclear materials since the onset of hostilities.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 26 June 2025
The neighborly ethos of the scene means people tend to look out for each other, nurturing a support network amid this increasing external hostility.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025
Fu also singled out Israel and called for efforts to bring an end to the hostilities.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostility
Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 28 June 2025
International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Grossi said Wednesday that Iran must quickly resume cooperation with international inspectors, telling French broadcaster France 2 that the IAEA had lost visibility over sensitive nuclear materials since the onset of hostilities.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 26 June 2025
The neighborly ethos of the scene means people tend to look out for each other, nurturing a support network amid this increasing external hostility.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025
Fu also singled out Israel and called for efforts to bring an end to the hostilities.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility
Noun
-
It's been very difficult to see just how much of this hatred has been normalized.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
1 July 2025
-
Period drama enthusiasts will be interested to know that Wright set the movie in the late-18th century instead of the early-19th century in part because of his hatred of empire waist dresses.—
Lia Beck,
EW.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
There have been conflicts between rideshare drivers and taxis in the past, so consider sticking with a reputable taxi or car service, However, the more adventurous can rent a car to explore nearby cenotes, ruins, and regional highlights.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
-
The deportations – part of a program Iran announced in March – have radically increased in pace since the 12-day conflict with Israel, fueled by unsubstantiated claims that Afghans had spied for Israel prior to and during the attacks.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The viral clip perfectly captures the familiar, comedic drama of pet rivalry, proving once again that internet users can't get enough of the secret lives—and grudges—of our four-legged friends.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
-
Or maybe someone carried a grudge about a business deal or something completely unrelated to any of the many hats Roy wore.—
Dateline NBC,
NBC news,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
The bomb hasn’t been used since, apart from test blasts, and after the Cold War ended in 1991, the risk of nuclear war mercifully declined.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
This figure has been steadily decreasing since the Ukraine war broke out in 2022, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
While the actual Mafia was rife with violence, animosity and bloodshed, Pileggi and Levinson's adaptation was humorous and, at times, empathetic toward the reality of being an aging criminal.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Months of retaliations and animosity followed, including Trump repeatedly suggesting that Canada become the 51st state.—
Danielle Kurtzleben,
NPR,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
An important aspect of the kinship between Irish and Black American culture is the spirit of subversion and play that arises because of this simultaneous dependence and antagonism.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
-
The ethnic antagonism in The Fabelmans, from 2022, suggests that Spielberg came to distrust the parochialism that the white Anglo-Saxon Beach Boys represented, along with the diversity that Americans had struggled against.—
Armond White,
National Review,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Their dynamic seems born not of enmity but something almost more collaborative.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
29 June 2025
-
This is a big call, as anti-U.S. enmity may have passed.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
But tensions in their relationship began to show whenMusk, the world’s richest person, began blasting Trump’s signature spending bill last month, taking issue with its provision to raise the debt ceiling.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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But the initial tour announcement did seem to allude to past tensions.—
Maria Sherman,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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