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

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 Both have built much of their appeal on opposition to the political establishment, the promise to wish away budget constraints, and deep hostility toward the European Union. — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 Although the correlation between daily prices has been insignificant, cotton prices and Brent crude prices have followed a similar general pattern since the outbreak of hostilities around Iran. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 When a quarrel over an inheritance revives old hostilities, their relationship comes under pressure from greed and treachery in a conflict not of their making. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 President Iliana Yotova called for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Black Sea and a moratorium on drone attacks against commercial and civilian infrastructure, following the latest drone attacks. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hostility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility

Noun

The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Underneath that façade was a sociopathic white supremacist neo-Nazi filled with hatred, fantasizing about mass murder nearly every day.

— Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

The group’s plans for the Middle East have been affected by the regional conflict, which has put some expansion activity in the region on hold.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Given that the United States keeps getting mired in errant conflicts, Congress urgently needs to reassert its constitutional obligation to approve acts of war and oversee retrenchment.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Greaves kept his cameras rolling, catching legends affectionately reminiscing, airing grudges, grousing about the next generation and, occasionally, demanding credit where credit is due.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Cohan joins the eight-episode series as Catherine ‘Cat’ Keegan, a former homecoming queen whose small-town charm has sharpened into something fiercer thanks to decades of old grudges and regrets.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

The ongoing war in Iran has centered on nuclear issues, including enrichment—Iranian officials have resisted any peace-deal terms that restrict the country’s enrichment program.

— Nick Bockelman, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Lessons from the smartphone wars Zuckerberg’s push to own the full stack may stem from his nearly two-decade rivalry with Apple and Google, which control the world’s dominant smartphone platforms.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of war

Noun

Some are prized for their sweet custard and fruity notes, others for a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter flavor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Arugula’s natural bitterness kicks off digestion before the first bite, cueing saliva, stomach acid and digestive enzymes that help the body prepare to break down a meal.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of bitterness

Noun

There’s no animosity between Mahomes and Kelce about the award, but this being a Nickelodeon show, there will be slime.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
But as much of Washington scrambles to get its arms around emerging AI risks, elsewhere in the country, opposition to data centers does not necessarily indicate animosity toward AI.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of animosity

Noun

The enmity between the sides grew after the Irish players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem before the first match.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
The months-long battle was bitter and hard fought and enmity within the industry has yet to subside.

— Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of enmity

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“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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