Hostility
/hɒˈstɪləti/
Definitions
2 meaningsOpen antagonism or opposition.
/hɒˈstɪləti/
Unfriendliness or opposition
The two countries have a long history of hostility.
💡 Simply: Imagine a playground where two kids are always glaring at each other, not sharing, and maybe even pushing. That feeling of not liking someone and showing it is hostility. It's like when things are not friendly.
👶 For kids: When you are very, very angry at someone and act mean, that's hostility.
More Examples
The crowd's hostility towards the referee was evident.
Despite initial attempts at reconciliation, the underlying hostility remained.
How It's Used
"The political debate was marked by escalating hostility between the two parties."
"She responded to his criticism with unexpected hostility."
"There was a palpable sense of hostility between the two nations."
Acts of warfare; fighting.
/hɒˈstɪləti/
An act of warfare
The cease-fire ended the hostilities.
💡 Simply: When people or countries start fighting, that's hostility. Think of a big, serious game of tag where everyone is trying to win, and it gets rough.
👶 For kids: Fighting or war.
More Examples
International law governs the conduct of hostilities.
The government warned against any further acts of hostility.
How It's Used
"The troops engaged in hostilities at dawn."
"The declaration of hostilities signaled the start of the war."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
Acts of hostility
Specific instances of aggressive or unfriendly behavior.
"The company was accused of various acts of hostility towards its employees."
Undergo hostilities
To experience or be subjected to acts of warfare or fighting.
"The troops were sent to the front lines to undergo hostilities."
From Old French *hostilité*, from Latin *hostilis* ("of an enemy, hostile"), from *hostis* ("enemy").
The word has been used since the 14th century in English to describe unfriendly actions or feelings, and later to denote open warfare.