hostility
hostility — noun
1. a feeling of dislike or anger that makes you want to treat someone badly or avoi
a feeling of dislike or anger that makes you want to treat someone badly or avoid them, along with the unfriendly behaviour that comes from that feeling.
Asher could feel the hostility in the room the moment he walked in.
feel hostility in [a place]
The new neighbours showed no hostility toward anyone on the street.
show hostility toward [someone]
Years of hostility between the two families finally ended with a public apology.
hostility between [groups]
Folake's hostility towards her coworker made team meetings very awkward.
- feel hostility
- show hostility
- hostility towards
- hostility between
- deep hostility
- barely concealed hostility
- animosity
stronger and more personal than hostility; implies active dislike over time
- antagonism
suggests active opposition or conflict, not just unfriendly feelings
- enmity
more formal and long-lasting; often between groups or nations
- friendliness
warm and welcoming behaviour, the opposite of hostility
Grammar Patterns
hostility + towards + noun phrase
hostility + between + plural noun phrase
Usage Note
Uncountable — do not use a or an before it. Common in phrases like 'feel hostility' and 'show hostility'.
Common Mistakes
2. angry resistance to a proposal, policy, or change that makes it hard to put into
angry resistance to a proposal, policy, or change that makes it hard to put into practice.
The mayor faced enormous hostility from residents over the new road plan.
face hostility from [group] over [issue]
There was open hostility in the meeting when Ramón suggested cutting the holiday budget.
Meera met the proposal with hostility, refusing to even discuss it further.
meet [something] with hostility
The company withdrew its plan after widespread hostility from employees became clear.
widespread hostility from [group]
- face hostility
- meet with hostility
- widespread hostility
- hostility to
- open hostility
- arouse hostility
- opposition
more neutral; can be calm and principled rather than angry
- resistance
suggests active efforts to stop something from happening
- antagonism
implies active ill will aimed at blocking a proposal
- support
agreement and encouragement for an idea or plan
Grammar Patterns
hostility + to + noun phrase
hostility + from + noun phrase
face/meet + hostility
Usage Note
Often appears with verbs like 'face', 'meet', 'encounter', or 'arouse'. The preposition 'to' or 'from' introduces the source of disagreement.
Common Mistakes
3. active fighting between armed groups or countries, especially as part of a war o
active fighting between armed groups or countries, especially as part of a war or military conflict.
After months of hostility, the two sides finally agreed to a ceasefire.
months of hostility
International observers were sent to monitor any further hostility along the border.
The peace treaty brought an end to open hostility between the neighbouring countries.
open hostility between [countries]
Noor reported that renewed hostility along the border had forced villagers to flee.
renewed hostility along [a border]
- open hostility
- outbreak of hostility
- end to hostility
- military hostility
- cease hostility
- peace
a state without fighting or armed conflict
Grammar Patterns
open hostility
an end to hostilities
outbreak of hostilities
Usage Note
In formal or news contexts the plural form 'hostilities' is common — for example, 'the outbreak of hostilities' or 'to cease hostilities'. This sense is most often used in political and military reporting.