What does "hostility" mean?

1. (unfriendliness or anger) a strong feeling of unfriendliness or disagreement toward someone or something. 2. (military fighting) acts of fighting in a war.

How do you use "hostility"?

Often used with the preposition 'toward' or 'towards'. Commonly appears in the plural form 'hostilities' when referring to a state of war.

hostility

US //hɑˈstɪɫəti// UK //həstˈɪlɪti// hos·til·i·ty

1 unfriendliness or anger (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

a strong feeling of unfriendliness or disagreement toward someone or something.

the state of being hostile; an antagonistic or unfriendly attitude or disposition.

Example

There was a lot of hostility between the two neighbors after the fence was built.

Example

The proposed changes to the contract met with open hostility from the union representatives during the initial negotiations.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'toward' or 'towards'.
- friendliness
- goodwill
- amity
2 military fighting (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

acts of fighting in a war.

hostile behavior or direct military action; frequently used in the plural to denote active warfare.

Example

The two countries agreed to end all hostility and sign a peace treaty.

Example

The sudden outbreak of hostilities along the border forced the international community to intervene before the conflict escalated further.

Usage

Commonly appears in the plural form 'hostilities' when referring to a state of war.
- peace
- truce

Origin

From Middle English hostilitie, hostilite, from Old French hostilité, from Latin hostīlitās. By surface analysis, hostile + -ity.