HOSTILITIES Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

hostilities

noun

plural of hostility

as in war

a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups Both sides agreed to cease all hostilities.

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Recent Examples of hostilities The October 2025 cease-fire plan freed the last remaining Israeli hostages and ostensibly ended hostilities, but Israel continues to constantly strike targets in Gaza, often killing civilians, including some 300 children in the past year. — Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 Some of the Middle Eastern countries still maintain interests that are driving the conflict, while other outside actors don’t seem able to muster the leverage to persuade warring parties to cease hostilities. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026 Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a president must cease all hostilities abroad after 60 days if there is no congressional declaration of war. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The Houthis launched one of their biggest attacks since hostilities restarted on Thursday, attacking across at least 20 locations. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026 The two sides reached an interim agreement in June and committed to trying to reach a final deal within 60 days, but the deadline passed after hostilities resumed. — Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026 Investigators were still trying to determine how the two groups were related to each other and what prompted hostilities. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 Sentiment was buoyed by a fall in crude oil prices, sending stock markets higher, despite continued hostilities in the Middle East. — Jenni Reid,sean Conlon, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostilities

Noun

Montanans are suffocating due to an affordability crisis, rising fuel prices and an inexplicable war.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
On Monday, Zelenskyy said holding elections in Ukraine was impossible during war time, especially with new Russian tactics involving attacks day and night.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of war

Noun

Soon afterward, the antagonism between Nusra and ISIS spiralled into open conflict.

— Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
To further lessen the risk of future conflict, Washington should also work with its partners to reduce the world’s vulnerability to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

— Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflict

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hostiles

hostilities

hostility

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“Hostilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostilities. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hostilities

noun

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