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

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 Anger Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or even hostility—and contrary to what many are taught to believe—anger does not have to be a negative emotion. Jenna Autuori-Dedic, Parents, 11 Apr. 2025 This reflected a new hostility that went beyond simply ignoring local immigration attorneys. Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025 Today, on Earth Day, ProPublica is publishing an interview with Abigail Dillen, president of Earthjustice, the country’s biggest public interest environmental firm, about the escalating hostility environmentalists face. Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 22 Apr. 2025 Misogyny can manifest in general hostility, objectification and violence committed against women. Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hostility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility
Noun
  • Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness and truth over falsehood.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • While highlighting the vicious cycle of ethnic hatred, Gavin strives for impartiality.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There have been no pauses in the conflict since Russia launched its unprovoked full-scale invasion in February 2022.
    Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Putin told Gerasimov on Saturday that Russia welcomed efforts from the U.S., China and BRICS countries to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
    Reuters, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • An armed man accused of walking into a Walgreens location in California and shooting an employee to death this week allegedly had a grudge against corporate pharmacies, police said.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Theater owners gathered inside the Colosseum Theater at Caesar’s Palace on Monday didn’t seem to hold any grudges, and gave a warm welcome to the exec.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Royals celebrate Easter: King Charles and Queen Camilla step out with family On April 17, the king used his annual Easter message to reflect on war, human suffering and the heroism of those who risk their lives to help others.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Francis was outspoken in his stance against war and appeals for peace, including calling for ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But instead of a careful observation of animosity, what the show presents are examples of undiluted pain.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This unexpected exchange intensified the animosity surrounding their upcoming Women's Title match at WrestleMania 41, adding a layer of genuine heat to their feud.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At least part of this antagonism is due to a psychology of conflation, by which a typical homeowner reflexively associates the notion of any homeless neighbor with the most dangerous depictions of the unsheltered: the addict desperate for a fix, the lunatic raging at unseen demons.
    Jeff Hobbs, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But the cuts, in many ways, appear to be rooted in a similar antagonism.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As the war in Ukraine escalated and the enmity between Moscow and its Western rivals deepened, Lukashenko's apparent hesitance to fully commit to the conflict seems to have bought him some level of freedom from retaliation.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Meet hate with love, and enmity with kindness.
    Big Think, Big Think, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, tensions with China have intensified, with tariffs now soaring as high as 145 percent on select goods.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Between the bottled beers and canapés, however, there was little sign of the brewing tensions behind the scenes.
    Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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