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

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

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

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 Fans can receive new material with skepticism, if not outright hostility. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 But was Rignol actually the victim of a bad detection algorithm and political hostility at Yale? — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 Such ongoing extreme hostility from the president has contributed to Americans’ loss of faith in the news media, which has plummeted to an all-time low. — Heather Hendershot, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 The death of 18 American service members during the conflict has also prompted strong reactions, with lawmakers demanding an immediate end to the hostilities. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hostility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostility

Noun

Yet the hatred of Dulles—so absolute in its consensus—reminds me of other ways in which our culture has hardened.

— Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
Please try to keep your red-state hatreds and prejudices confined within your borders, and leave the rest of us in peace.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

The more than five-month-old conflict, which was already expanding beyond its main fronts, has embroiled further countries in the Middle East in recent days, notably the likes of Iraq and Egypt.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
As Tehran and Washington issue mixed messages, the status of the strait remains at the core of the conflict.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Christian, convinced a nobleman had done it, had the man executed without much proof, a grudge that helped cost him his crown a few years later.

— Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Lynn Rogers, who served as Kelly’s first lieutenant governor and was later appointed state treasurer, said Lawrence is somebody who holds onto grudges.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

Both areas saw heavy fighting in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war and are currently occupied by Israeli forces.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
The Saudi Arabian government has been dealing with the economic fallout from the war between the US and Iran, which launched late in February, and the subsequent effects on the oil markets that are so lucrative to the Saudi government.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of war

Noun

His bitterness over his broken dreams not only hangs over his own life, but threatens to shatter his family.

— Steve Palopoli, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Some taste like sweet custard with fruity flourishes, others carry a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter-like flavor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of bitterness

Noun

Thorne and Zendaya exchanged notes and realized the animosity between them wasn’t coming from either one.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Instead, sources familiar with the situation pointed to Trump’s history of dropping past animosity with Republicans who appease him as one reason Pirro still has a shot of lasting beyond this week’s tenuous moment.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of animosity

Noun

But the trash-talking and, especially, antagonism over race and ethnicity is gratuitous and needlessly divisive.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
The match took place against a background of antagonism between the nations, heightened by Argentina's recent semifinal win over England at the World Cup.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of antagonism

Noun

The enmity between their legacies and their fanbase once felt too thick to ever dissolve.

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
White would not be happy about these songs being used to speculate about what goes on behind closed doors — that seems evident enough from the several songs on the album that express enmity toward snoops and know-it-alls.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 July 2026

Definition of enmity

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hosts

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“Hostility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostility. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hostility

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