1
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
2
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hostility
The case, which generated headlines around the world, comes amid rising hostility against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S. since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.
—
Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
In Riyadh, the two countries reportedly agreed to work toward ending hostilities in Ukraine and improving diplomatic and economic relations, including restoring full embassy staffing.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Even the most basic cessation of hostilities is, in this circumstance, devilishly complex.
—Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2025
The initial hostility was unrestrained, with religious leaders and many scientists decrying it as heretical and unproven, while others hailed it as a revolutionary insight into the workings of nature.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostility
Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
In Riyadh, the two countries reportedly agreed to work toward ending hostilities in Ukraine and improving diplomatic and economic relations, including restoring full embassy staffing.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Even the most basic cessation of hostilities is, in this circumstance, devilishly complex.
—Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2025
The initial hostility was unrestrained, with religious leaders and many scientists decrying it as heretical and unproven, while others hailed it as a revolutionary insight into the workings of nature.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility
Noun
-
Democrats, blinded by their hatred of him, have ignored this.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Debra Messing, who has produced a new documentary on (horseshoe-theory) antisemitism called October 8, has been one of Hollywood’s few intensely admirable exceptions, calling out anti-Jewish hatred with a fierce constancy over the past 16 months.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The mineral rights agreement is a fantastic solution to bring about an end to this conflict.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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The meeting touched on the need to strengthen Ukraine and European defense, after Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clashed at the White House on Feb. 28 over differing views on how to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And again to be blunt, filmmakers and studio execs also maintain feelings and grudges that spill over into and onto fans and press on either side.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
-
India-Pakistan matches are billed as one of the greatest sporting grudges in the world and attract mega sponsors and hyper fanfare.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The escalating trade war is likely to result in consumers paying higher prices for a wide range of products, including fruits and vegetables, flat-screen TVs and auto parts.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Trump in the lead-up to his 2024 election win vowed to quickly end the war in Ukraine.—
Compiled byDemocrat-Gazette stafffrom wire reports,
arkansasonline.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Since Trump first threatened to enact sweeping tariffs on Canadian imports and began referring to the US’ northern neighbor as the 51st state, animosity toward the US and its leader has been mounting.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Trump’s animosity toward the First Amendment also extended to its guarantee of peaceable assembly.—
Scott Nover,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The White House meeting was a striking exchange of open antagonism in the Oval Office, a space typically reserved for formal diplomacy, especially among U.S. allies.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The unaccountable bureaucracy and bloated government that find a home there, and the public and private corruption that go along with them, face serious scrutiny and genuine antagonism for the first time in a while.—
Jack Butler,
National Review,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Editors’ Picks The Forgotten Writers Who Influenced Jane Austen Many Ukrainians have cheered Mr. Zelensky for standing up to Mr. Trump, even if the personal enmity has become an impediment.—
Andrew E. Kramer,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
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The subsequent 444-day hostage crisis at the embassy in Tehran kindled decades of enmity.—
Nasser Karimi,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Rather, according to the article, their union ended because of tension in their work and married life.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
7 Mar. 2025
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The tension reflects broader trade policy frictions.—
Ronak D. Desai,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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