hostility
gb/hɑstˈɪləti/ us/hɑstˈɪləti/
B2
English
~ 6300
ellenségesség, harc, fegyveres összecsapás, harci cselekmények
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
hostility toward [someone/something]
Her open hostility toward the new manager made meetings very uncomfortable.
Az új vezetővel szembeni nyílt ellenségessége nagyon kellemetlenné tette a megbeszéléseket.
There is growing hostility toward the proposed changes in the law.
Egyre nő az ellenségesség a törvény tervezett módosításaival szemben.
He tried to hide his hostility, but his cold tone gave him away.
The workers felt a lot of hostility from local residents when the factory opened.
Online anonymity can sometimes increase hostility in discussions.
Learner examples
I could feel his hostility when I walked into the room.
Éreztem az ellenségességét, amikor beléptem a szobába.
There is a lot of hostility toward the new rules at school.
Az iskolában nagy az ellenségesség az új szabályokkal szemben.
She spoke with clear hostility and did not try to be polite.
The two neighbors live in constant hostility.
Their hostility toward each other makes it hard to work as a team.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "hostility" with "hospitality" because they look similar. "Hostility" means unfriendliness or anger, while "hospitality" means warm and friendly welcome. Also, learners may try to use it as an adjective (e.g., *a hostility person*); the correct adjective is "hostile" (e.g., *a hostile person*).
Meaning
strong unfriendliness or antagonism
Collocations
open hostility
|growing hostility
|show hostility
|hostility toward immigrants
|racial hostility
|deep hostility
Synonyms
antagonism (Stresses active opposition and tension, often in a continuing relationship.)
|
resentment (Focuses more on a long-lasting bitter feeling than on outward behavior.)
Antonyms
friendliness (Direct opposite, showing warm and kind behavior instead of cold or angry behavior.)
|
goodwill (Emphasizes a positive, supportive attitude rather than negative, opposing feelings.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A strong feeling or show of dislike and anger toward a person, group, or idea.
Strong unfriendly feeling or behavior that shows you dislike or oppose someone or something.
NOUN
C1
2
Usage pattern:
hostilities between [groups/countries]
Both sides agreed to cease hostilities at midnight.
Mindkét fél megállapodott abban, hogy éjfélkor beszüntetik a harcokat.
Hostilities broke out along the border after weeks of tension.
Hetekig tartó feszültség után harcok törtek ki a határ mentén.
International observers were sent to monitor the end of hostilities.
The peace agreement formally ended all hostilities between the two nations.
Talks collapsed, and hostilities resumed the following week.
Learner examples
The two countries finally stopped all hostilities.
A két ország végül teljesen beszüntette a harcokat.
Hostilities began again after the peace talks failed.
Miután a béketárgyalások kudarcot vallottak, újra megkezdődtek a harcok.
They signed a deal to end hostilities and start peace.
Many people died during the long hostilities between the groups.
The leaders promised that hostilities would not start again.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is usually plural: we normally say "hostilities" when talking about war or fighting, not "a hostility". They may also confuse this with general emotional hostility; in military or political news, it often specifically means armed conflict.
Meaning
fighting or warlike actions
Collocations
cease hostilities
|end hostilities
|outbreak of hostilities
|resume hostilities
|hostilities break out
|armed hostilities
Synonyms
combat (More specific to the actual physical fighting between armed forces.)
|
conflict (Broader and can include political or social struggle as well as physical fighting.)
Antonyms
peace (General state with no war or fighting between groups or countries.)
|
truce (A formal agreement to stop fighting, often temporary, that brings hostilities to a halt.)
Themes
politics
|war
|international
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Military fighting or war between groups or countries, usually said as "hostilities" in the plural.
Acts of fighting or armed conflict between countries or organized groups, especially in a war or near-war situation; usually used in the plural as "hostilities".
Grammar
Dictionary form
hostility
IPA
GB/hɑstˈɪləti/
US/hɑstˈɪləti/
Syllables & stress
hos - til - ity (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (til)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hostility
- Plural: hostilities, hostility
Word family
Forms
hostilities
noun
Core family
hostile
adjective B1
Expressions
cease hostilities
1/sˈis hɑstˈɪlətiz/
fixed phrase
formal
to stop military fighting
To stop all fighting and shooting between armies or groups.
Examples
- Both sides agreed to cease hostilities while negotiators met in the capital.
- The UN called on the rebel forces to cease hostilities immediately.
hostilities break out
1/hɑstˈɪlətiz bɹˈeɪk ˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
when fighting suddenly starts
Used to say that war or fighting suddenly starts between groups or countries.
Examples
- Hostilities broke out after months of rising tension along the border.
- No one expected hostilities to break out so quickly.
open hostility
1/ˈoʊpən hɑstˈɪləti/
fixed phrase
hostility that is obvious
Hostility that is clear and easy for everyone to see, not hidden or controlled.
Examples
- There was open hostility between the two candidates during the debate.
- His comment was met with open hostility from the audience.
resume hostilities
1/ɹˈɛzəmˌeɪ hɑstˈɪlətiz/
fixed phrase
formal
Restart fighting or conflict
To start fighting again after stopping for some time.
Examples
- The two countries resumed hostilities after peace talks failed.
- Hostilities resumed at dawn.
resume hostilities
2/ɹˈɛzəmˌeɪ hɑstˈɪlətiz/
fixed phrase
formal
to start fighting again
To begin fighting again after a period of no fighting.
Examples
- After the failed talks, both sides threatened to resume hostilities.
- The government warned that it would resume hostilities if the ceasefire was broken.