hostility
/hɒˈstɪl.ə.ti/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Hostility is strong dislike, opposition, or unfriendliness toward someone or something. It can be a feeling, or it can show in actions and words.
- There was clear hostility between the two teams.
- She spoke with hostility in her voice.
- The policy met strong hostility from students.
Adinary Nuance
Hostility is stronger and colder than simple dislike. It is also more active than anger, because it often suggests open opposition, rude behavior, or a fight. Use it when the feeling is serious and negative, not just unfriendly. Compared with antagonism, hostility is usually more direct and easier for learners to understand.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thù địch
- Spanish
- hostilidad
- Chinese
- 敌意
- Japanese
- 敵意
- Korean
- 적대감
Etymology
Hostility came into English from Old French in the 14th century, based on Latin hostilis, meaning “of an enemy.” The word still keeps that sense of open opposition.
Common phrases
open hostilityhostility towardhostility betweenshow hostility
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is hostility formal or informal?
- Hostility is neutral to formal. It is common in news, academic writing, and serious speech.
- What is the difference between hostility and anger?
- Anger is a feeling. Hostility is stronger and often includes open dislike or opposition.
- Can hostility be used in business writing?
- Yes. It is useful in reports about conflict, complaints, or workplace tension.
- How do I use hostility in a sentence?
- Use it before or after a preposition: “hostility toward” or “hostility between.”