hostility

hos-til-i-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Hostile behavior; unfriendliness or opposition.

  2. 2.

    (Hostilities, plural) Acts of warfare; fighting.

  3. 3.

    Strong opposition to an idea, plan, or project.

Forms

plural: hostilities

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    open hostility — Obvious and unconcealed unfriendliness
  • •
    outbreak of hostilities — The beginning of armed conflict
  • •
    cessation of hostilities — The end of fighting
  • •
    show hostility — To display unfriendly behavior

Related words

Antonyms: amity, friendliness, goodwill
See also: aggression, antagonism, conflict, hostile
Synonyms: aggression, animosity, antagonism, enmity

Etymology

From Old French hostilite, from Latin hostilitas ("enmity"), from hostilis ("of an enemy"), from hostis ("enemy, stranger").