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 onset of hostilities was enough to persuade around a hundred and eighty Democrats to support the measure.
—
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of repeatedly violating the pause in hostilities.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Cuba's shootdown in 1996 of two Cessna aircraft operated by the Brothers to the Rescue was a watershed moment in decades of hostilities between the two countries.
—Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
These armed hostilities have maimed, mutilated and killed millions of human beings — many of them innocent civilians.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The hostilities ended with the April 7 ceasefire.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 May 2026
The Israeli military offensive in Lebanon has wiped out nearly a quarter of agricultural land in areas touched by hostilities, the Lebanese government reported today, as lethal strikes battered parts of the south.
—Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi pressed his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and refrain from resuming hostilities during a meeting in Beijing.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 May 2026
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of repeatedly violating the pause in hostilities.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Cuba's shootdown in 1996 of two Cessna aircraft operated by the Brothers to the Rescue was a watershed moment in decades of hostilities between the two countries.
—Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
These armed hostilities have maimed, mutilated and killed millions of human beings — many of them innocent civilians.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The hostilities ended with the April 7 ceasefire.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 May 2026
The Israeli military offensive in Lebanon has wiped out nearly a quarter of agricultural land in areas touched by hostilities, the Lebanese government reported today, as lethal strikes battered parts of the south.
—Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi pressed his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and refrain from resuming hostilities during a meeting in Beijing.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostilities
Noun
-
During my lifetime there have been 55 years in which my country has engaged in prolonged and endless conflicts or wars, few of which have brought a decisive victory.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Despite efforts from governments worldwide to boost supply during the war, including tapping into emergency oil stockpiles, steep oil prices remain.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The data shows that since the Middle East conflict erupted at the end of February, global jet fuel prices have surged rapidly.—
,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
With the end of the Middle East conflict nowhere in sight and the average cost of California gasoline more than $6 per gallon, a road trip is probably the last thing Californians want to do right now.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hostilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostilities. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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