Definition

1. Noun:
   • A state of opposition or antagonism; unfriendliness or enmity: "Hostility" refers to a feeling of strong dislike, ill will, or antagonism between people or groups.
   • Hostile action; acts of warfare: "Hostility" can also refer to acts of conflict, aggression, or war.
   • Opposition or resistance to an idea, plan, or feeling: It can describe a strong disagreement or antagonistic stance toward something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • There was open hostility between the two rival companies. (A clear state of antagonism existed.)
  • The negotiations broke down due to mutual hostility. (The talks failed because both sides felt strong ill will.)
  • The soldier showed no hostility towards the civilians. (The soldier did not display unfriendly or aggressive feelings.)
  • The cessation of hostilities was agreed upon by both nations. (The stopping of acts of war was agreed to.)

Advanced Usage

• "to incur hostility": to cause or provoke antagonistic feelings.
  • His radical proposals incurred the hostility of the establishment.
• "latent hostility": unfriendliness or antagonism that exists but is not openly expressed.
  • Beneath their polite conversation, there was a sense of latent hostility.

Variants and Related Words

• Hostile (adj): showing or feeling opposition or dislike; unfriendly.
  • He gave me a hostile look.
• Hostilely (adv): in a hostile manner.
  • He reacted hostilely to the suggestion.

Synonyms

• Animosity: Strong hostility or opposition.
• Antagonism: Active hostility or opposition.
• Enmity: The state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
• Ill will: Unfriendly or hostile feelings; malice.

Related Phrases

• Acts of hostility: Specific actions that demonstrate aggression or antagonism.
  • The border incident was considered an act of hostility.
• State of hostility: The condition of being in conflict or opposition.
  • The two countries have been in a state of hostility for decades.

Related Idioms

• To meet with hostility: To be received in an unfriendly or antagonistic way.
  • The new policy met with hostility from the public.
• To feel hostility toward(s): To have antagonistic feelings about someone or something.
  • She felt a deep hostility towards the unfair rules.

Noun

1. violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked
2. the feeling of a hostile person
   • he could no longer contain his hostility
3. a state of deep-seated ill-will
4. a hostile (very unfriendly) disposition
   • he could not conceal his hostility