HOSTILITY Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hostility

noun

hä-ˈsti-lə-tē

Definition of hostility

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

as in conflict

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Iran accepted meaningful limits on its nuclear program in 2015, for instance, and reversed decades of hostility toward Saudi Arabia by normalizing ties in 2023. — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 Prosecutors in the impeachment proceedings argued that the messages were not isolated political comments but reflected a pattern of hostility toward Jews, Zionism, and the State of Israel. — Juan Melamed, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 They are often met with resistance, if not outright hostility. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The dynamic between the parents and the perpetrators steadily escalates from politeness to hostility to eventual torture, all while maintaining a frustrating attitude of inevitability and justification toward the former’s fate. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hostility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility

Noun

His hatred of the Islamic State group appears genuine, and American cooperation with Damascus against the terrorist network will benefit the Syrians who suffered most under its rule.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Yet Christ Jesus consistently refused to let fear, hatred, or sin define his view of anyone’s identity.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

Officials in Pattaya, where international tourist arrivals have dropped because of travel disruptions and soaring fuel prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, say the visit is expected to inject about $3 million into the local economy.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Households reduced fuel consumption due to elevated prices owed to the Middle East conflict, and cut domestic and international travel.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Tennessee fans once expressed a grudge toward former coach Lane Kiffin by pelting the Neyland Stadium field with debris, including a mustard bottle and a golf ball, the latter of which struck Kiffin.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
But whether William can continue holding a grudge against Harry with his brother geographically close to him again remains to be seen.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

The Middle East war and the resulting shipping disruption through the Strait of Hormuz drove up global commodity costs, further squeezing Beijing's own appetite for commodity imports.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Iran says wedding struck Iranians were fearful that the new strikes signaled war could restart at full throttle.

— Kanishka Singh, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of war

Noun

This copper beauty serves up bold floral and citrus aromas, plus the signature IPA bitterness.

— Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Little united the Syrian rebels during the country’s civil war from 2011 to 2024 outside of their hatred of Assad, and Damascus has sought to cultivate this memory of bitterness to keep the country’s disparate groups together.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of bitterness

Noun

Damascus’s challenge is to use the dividends from its newfound importance in regional trade to build functioning institutions, distribute resources for recovery, and overcome historical animosities.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Trump has increasingly used his animosity toward the press to seek action by the FCC, which controls broadcast licensing.

— Jeff Mason, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of animosity

Noun

By defining other civilizations as alien cultures, a civilizationist grand strategy might fuel antagonism rather than tolerate differences.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Still, the economic particulars underpinning this needless antagonism essentially are beside the point.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of antagonism

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hostility

hosts

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“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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