Basic Details
Word: Hostility
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Unfriendliness or opposition towards someone or something.
Synonyms: Animosity, enmity, aggression
Antonyms: Friendship, kindness, harmony
Idioms and Phrases
- Heart of hostility: A deep-seated unfriendliness or hate. Example: "Despite their shared history, there was a heart of hostility between the two families."
- Hostility breeds hostility: Unfriendliness often leads to more unfriendliness. Example: "When he responded with anger, he only fueled the fire; after all, hostility breeds hostility."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The hostility displayed during the debate made it difficult for both sides to reach an agreement.
Example 2: Her hostility towards the new student was surprising, as everyone else welcomed him warmly.
Example 3: The long-standing hostility between the two rival teams was evident during the final match.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "hostility" comes from the Latin word "hostilis," which means "of an enemy"? This reflects how hostility often emerges from conflict or war situations.
Famous Quote
"Animosity is like a poison; it affects the one who carries it." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "hostility" mean?
a) Kindness towards others
b) Unfriendliness or opposition
c) A celebration
d) A friendly gathering
Answer: b) Unfriendliness or opposition
2. Which of these is a synonym of "hostility"?
a) Harmony
b) Animosity
c) Kindness
d) Cooperation
Answer: b) Animosity
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "hostility"?
a) Enmity
b) Aggression
c) Friendship
d) Opposition
Answer: c) Friendship
4. Which sentence uses "hostility" correctly?
a) There was a lot of hostility in the peaceful protests.
b) He felt hostility towards his team's victory.
c) A friendly gesture can help reduce hostility.
d) Her hostility was enough to make everyone laugh.
Answer: c) A friendly gesture can help reduce hostility.
5. What does the idiom "hostility breeds hostility" mean?
a) Kindness leads to more kindness
b) Unfriendliness often causes more unfriendliness
c) Friends always help each other
d) There is no such thing as hostility
Answer: b) Unfriendliness often causes more unfriendliness
