hostility
Americannoun
noun
-
enmity or antagonism
-
an act expressing enmity or opposition
-
(plural) fighting; warfare
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of hostility
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English hostilite, from Latin hostīlitās, from hostīl(is) ( see hostile) + -itās -ity
Explanation
Hostility is the state of ill will and bad feeling. If a teacher embarrasses you in front of the whole class, you will probably regard him or her with hostility for the remainder of the school year. Hostility can be used to describe aggressive relations between two countries as well as between people. The issue of territorial borders can often cause hostility between neighboring countries. If actual fighting breaks out, use the word hostilities to refer to the violent actions between them. The ordinary citizens of the countries involved will look forward to the end of hostilities when the two governments are able to work together for peace.
Vocabulary lists containing hostility
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 16–19
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Franklin D. Roosevelt, "A Date That Will Live In Infamy" (1941)
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Maus I: My Father Bleeds History
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Published during the Depression, when hostility to Wall Street ran high, this rollicking portrait of the former era’s business titans was a hit that popularized the phrase of its title.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
In 2015, then president Barack Obama attempted a rapprochement with the Cuban government, hoping a more diplomatic approach would yield better relations after a half-century of hostility.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
It was thrilling stuff from England's new-ball bowlers, who both went over 90mph to produce the kind of hostility the hosts believed would bring success in Test cricket.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
"For example, there may be people who automatically expect criticism, rejection or hostility from others, and therefore interpret situations through this filter despite the fact that reality does not warrant it."
From Science Daily ● Jul. 1, 2026
Most people probably enjoyed the close intimacy of the roaming band, but those unfortunates who incurred the hostility or mockery of their fellow band members probably suffered terribly.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
Still, oil traders are holding out hope that the hostilities are a short-term disruption rather than a long-term shock.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 26, 2026
The recently resumed hostilities with Iran are not going well.
From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2026
The data will give a picture of how the country’s economy was performing ahead of renewed hostilities in the Middle East and a jump higher in oil prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Second-quarter net profit rose to 1.27 billion euros from 929 million euros in the first quarter, despite the company having no assets in the Middle East, where hostilities have fuelled higher crude prices.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
Harry had the impression that the Minister was wondering whether it was worthwhile opening hostilities this early.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.