Hostility
Hostility noun - A deep-seated ill will.
Usage example: a lingering hostility between the two neighbors ever since since they had that property-line dispute
Nearby Word: hostile
Sympathy
Sympathy noun - Sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune.
Usage example: since losing her own brother to lung disease, the nurse has had greater sympathy for families going through the same agony
How words are described
| natural | natural hostility | natural sympathy |
| genuine | genuine hostility | genuine sympathy |
| outward | outward hostility | outward sympathy |
| deep | deep hostility | deep sympathy |
| Other adjectives: actual, real, massive, great, little, potential, personal, vague, widespread, general, apparent, less, mutual, outright, negative, growing, occasional, increasing. | ||
Both words in one sentence
-
The townspeople generally react with anything from hostility to lukewarm sympathy of the "gee, that's too bad" variety.
Source: Kafka Komedy -
The tone of Frank's confrontation with his father is considerably different, with him showing less hostility, more genuine sympathy and concern, and attempting to wake him up.
Source: Film / Magnolia - Sympathy is averted only because of brutal, unrelenting hostility and disregard for human life shown by the Locusts, both their loyal remnants and savage encampments, but especially by Queen Myrrah herself.
Source: Unintentionally Sympathetic
Cite this Source
Sympathy and Hostility. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 07, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/hostility/sympathy
Hostility & Sympathy. N.p., 2016. Web. 07 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/hostility/sympathy>.
Sympathy or Hostility. 2016. Accessed August 07, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/hostility/sympathy.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "hostility" and "sympathy" have occurred on timeline