Word: hostility

Associations

Hostility means strong dislike or opposition towards someone or something. It often refers to angry feelings or behaviors.

• Hostility can be seen in arguments between countries or groups. For example, "The hostility between the two nations has led to conflict."
• In personal relationships, someone might feel hostility towards a friend who betrayed them. For instance, "After the betrayal, she felt only hostility towards her former friend."
• In a workplace setting, hostility can occur when there is tension between coworkers. For example, "There was a palpable hostility in the office after the new policies were announced."

A common synonym for hostility is "aggression." However, aggression often implies active attacks or violence, while hostility can be more broadly about negative feelings that may not lead to physical action.

Substitution

Other words for hostility include:

• Antagonism: This refers to active opposition or hostility, often more intense than simple dislike.
• Enmity: This indicates a deep-seated hatred, often between groups or individuals over a long time.
• Resentment: This is a feeling of anger or displeasure because of unfair treatment, which might not be as openly aggressive.

Using these words changes the meaning slightly; for example, "antagonism" may suggest ongoing conflict, while "resentment" may point to personal grievances.

Deconstruction

The word "hostility" comes from the Latin word "hostilis," which means "of an enemy." The root "host" refers to an enemy or stranger.

• The suffix "-ity" indicates a state or condition, turning "hostile" (adjective) into "hostility" (noun), representing the state of being hostile or unfriendly.

Understanding this helps one see that "hostility" talks about more than just feelings; it describes a condition of unfriendly behavior.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt hostility towards someone or something? What caused those feelings?
• How might you express feelings of hostility differently than you would express mild annoyance?
• In what situations do you think hostility is more likely to arise? How can it impact relationships?