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

Examples 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 Or Central and South America, uniting in hostility to the United States, helping their drug gangs to surge fentanyl into the United States via drones and tunnels. Llewellyn King, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2025 Despite his initial hostility, the mystery of his past slowly reveals itself as the story progresses. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025 His hostility to certain international norms will push these countries to work together more effectively, while his transactional approach will give them the chance to play the great powers off one another. Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Here’s a look at the terms of the cease-fire and its prospects for ending hostilities over the long term. Abby Sewell and Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hostility 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility
Noun
  • To understand why Germans at different levels of society backed Hitler, scholars often cite people’s deep commitment to Nazi ideology; the hatred of Jews, homosexuals, Romani, or Communists; or sheer psychopathic sadism.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Platforms originally designed to connect people and foster communities are being weaponized to spread hatred and violence.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Over time, this dynamic erodes trust and breeds unnecessary friction in your interactions, to the point that others notice the unstated conflict.
    David Nour, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • However, tariffs alone might not suffice to prevent conflict, requiring Trump to pair them with military and diplomatic strategies to ensure regional stability.
    John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This one is steamy, full of pining and regret over past mistakes, made even more angsty because the two come from sports dynasty families with long-standing grudges.
    Ellie K. Wilde, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
  • In those years, Machinists’ wages had not kept up with the massive jump in cost of living in the region, and the workforce still held a grudge after Boeing twice threatened to take production to its nonunion factory in South Carolina, resulting in a vote to end the Machinists’ pension plan.
    Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Publishing footage of prisoners of war can fall foul of the Geneva Conventions, or rules for how people can be treated during war.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The October attack sparked the subsequent Israel-Hamas war and the relentless Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip that Palestinian health authorities say has killed more than 46,000 people and destroyed the majority of the blockaded territory.
    Natasha Turak,Christina Wilkie, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Already before the earthquakes, Turkish disdain and animosity were communicated to Syrians by the thousand cuts of everyday interactions.
    Alia Malek, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Despite past animosity toward the ACA, some influential Republicans are coming around to keeping enhanced subsidies signed into law by President Biden.
    Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Both stories are unusually accurate in their sense of hostile inclusion, with French pioneers, Native tribes and white Americans in a state of perpetual antagonism.
    Chris Vognar, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Yet Trump’s position as president of the United States—the largest funder and primary backer of numerous international organizations—makes his antagonism uniquely consequential.
    Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The one area in which Trump shows unwavering determination is his enmity toward technical expertise.
    Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The closest parallel was nearly 50 years ago, when then-Egyptian President Anwar Sadat jettisoned decades of enmity and abruptly announced his readiness to travel to Israel, kickstarting diplomacy that led to a peace treaty.
    Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • There was also a prolonged drought, a nasty port strike and constant tensions between locals and Dust Bowl immigrants over impacts on social services.
    Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Not only were there some creative differences between the film's director and writer, David Goyer and New Line Cinema, but there were also some tensions on set.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near hostility

Cite this Entry

“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hostility

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