hostility
noun
hos·til·i·ty
hä-ˈsti-lə-tē 
plural hostilities
1
a
: deep-seated usually mutual ill will
glad to have gotten through the divorce proceedings without any visible signs of hostility
showed open hostility toward outsiders
2
: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle
There was tension, there was hostility and envy in the air.—
Theodor Reik
Theodor ReikExamples of hostility in a Sentence
They were both glad to have gotten through the divorce proceedings without any visible signs of hostility.
The townspeople showed open hostility to outsiders.
Peace talks were stalled after recent hostilities.
Both sides are calling for a cessation of hostilities.
Recent Examples on the Web
As the villagers turn against their budding friendship, Kellou must stand up for Aya and face the hostility of her own people, while fighting to hold on to her freedom.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
The hostility was not shared by all lower court judges — not even by the federal judge whom Gorsuch called out for allegedly defying the high court’s previous emergency docket order.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Almost three years since the start of the Sudanese civil war, there are few signs of the hostilities ending soon, with experts fearing the world’s gravest humanitarian crisis could yet worsen.
—semafor.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Her parties fanned the flames of popular hostility that erupted into the French Revolution, changing France and its monarchy forever.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostility
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Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
The hostility was not shared by all lower court judges — not even by the federal judge whom Gorsuch called out for allegedly defying the high court’s previous emergency docket order.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Almost three years since the start of the Sudanese civil war, there are few signs of the hostilities ending soon, with experts fearing the world’s gravest humanitarian crisis could yet worsen.
—semafor.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Her parties fanned the flames of popular hostility that erupted into the French Revolution, changing France and its monarchy forever.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostility
Cite this Entry
“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostility. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hostility
noun
hos·til·i·ty
hä-ˈstil-ət-ē
plural hostilities
1
: a hostile state, attitude, or action
2
plural
: acts of warfare
Medical Definition
hostility
noun
hos·til·i·ty
hä-ˈstil-ət-ē
plural hostilities
: conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle
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