hostility
Unfriendly opposition shown
Hostility is unfriendliness, antagonism, or opposition directed toward someone or something.
It ranges from cold disapproval to active aggression: I sensed hostility in the way she refused to look at me.
In the plural, hostilities refers to acts of warfare or armed conflict: Hostilities broke out along the border.
A hostile environment is one marked by tension or threat, whether in a workplace, a combat zone, or nature itself.
Active, bitter hostility
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- antipathyIngrained, intense aversion
- ill-willHostile or unkind feeling
- maliceIntent to cause harm
spite · rancor · animus · aversion · loathing · hatred · detestation · contempt
Warlike aggression
- combativenessInclination toward conflict
- pugnacityInclination to quarrel
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- menaceSource of potential harm
threats · intimidation · bullying · provocation · harassment · assault · attack · violence
Intense, violent anger
indignation · temper · exasperation · irritation · annoyance · vexation · choler · bile
Active resistance or dissent
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- tensionStretched or strained state
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
- discordLack of agreement
contention · clash · dispute · disagreement · rivalry · dissension · quarrel · squabble
Intolerance toward differing views
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- xenophobiaHatred of outsiders
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
sectarianism · chauvinism · homophobia · narrow-mindedness · ethnocentrism · jingoism · nativism · othering
Armed hostile engagement
- battleArmed military engagement
- fightingEngaging in physical conflict
- armed conflictMilitary combat between groups
- military actionArmed force by state
engagement · skirmish · siege · bombardment · offensive · invasion · occupation · guerrilla warfare
animosity
Active, bitter hostility
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- antipathyIngrained, intense aversion
- ill-willHostile or unkind feeling
malice · spite · rancor · animus · aversion · loathing · hatred · detestation · contempt · disdain
belligerence
Warlike aggression
- combativenessInclination toward conflict
- pugnacityInclination to quarrel
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
menace · threats · intimidation · bullying · provocation · harassment · assault · attack · violence · force
rage
Intense, violent anger
outrage · indignation · temper · exasperation · irritation · annoyance · vexation · choler · bile · spleen
opposition
Active resistance or dissent
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- tensionStretched or strained state
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
discord · contention · clash · dispute · disagreement · rivalry · dissension · quarrel · squabble · bickering
bigotry
Intolerance toward differing views
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- xenophobiaHatred of outsiders
racism · sectarianism · chauvinism · homophobia · narrow-mindedness · ethnocentrism · jingoism · nativism · othering · scapegoating
combat
Armed hostile engagement
- battleArmed military engagement
- fightingEngaging in physical conflict
- armed conflictMilitary combat between groups
military action · engagement · skirmish · siege · bombardment · offensive · invasion · occupation · guerrilla warfare · insurgency
- acting outtantrums, tantrum, meltdowns, pouting, whining
- aversionsaversion, dislike, distaste, hatred, loathing
- backlashbacklash, blowback, outcry, outrage, pushback
- bad attitudesnegativity, cynicism, pessimism, contempt, resentment
- conflict responsesavoidance, confrontation, compromise, accommodation, aggression
- conflictsargument, fight, war, battle, dispute
hostilityfriendliness
Warm, welcoming disposition
warmth · goodwill · kindness · amity · cordiality
- suspension of hostilitiesAgreed halt to combat
- covert hostilityConcealed unfriendliness toward another