ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hostility

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //hɑˈstɪɫəti// UK //həstˈɪlɪti// hos·til·i·ty

n. unfriendly or aggressive behavior toward someone or something. It is the feeling of being an enemy or showing that you strongly disagree with an idea.

n. unfriendly or antagonistic behavior; a state of opposition or ill will. Often used in the plural to refer to acts of warfare or armed conflict.


SIMPLE

There was a lot of hostility between the two rival teams.

CONTEXTUAL

The speaker faced open hostility from the audience, who interrupted her speech with loud shouts and boos.

COMPLEX

Despite the formal peace treaty, a deep-seated hostility remained between the neighboring regions, fueled by decades of territorial disputes and cultural misunderstandings.

Synonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Uncountable when referring to a general feeling or atmosphere of unfriendliness; countable (usually plural) when referring to specific acts of war.

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