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 next

as in hatred

a deep-seated ill will a lingering hostility between the two neighbors ever since since they had that property-line dispute

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as in conflict

hostilities plural a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups Both sides agreed to cease all hostilities.

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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 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 Nothing says Christmas morning quite like coffee, wrapping paper and 105 years of NFC North hostility. —

Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 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 The theory holds that when a government or leader becomes deeply unpopular or mistrusted, any action—good or bad—will be viewed with intense hostility and suspicion by their counterpart. —

Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hostility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility

Noun

The Soros’ announcement did not say how the foundations will define antisemitism — a point of contention on college campuses and in state legislatures where debates have raged over whether criticism of Israel amounts to hatred of Jewish people.

— James Pollard, Fortune, 13 May 2026
The movie thus offers a complaint about the end results of Putinism, not about the ideas—the emotions, the enthusiasms, the resentments, the hatreds—that brought it about.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026

Definition of hatred

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hostilities

hostility

hosts

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

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Synonyms of hostility

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