The difference between Hostility and War

When used as nouns, hostility means the state of being hostile, whereas war means organized, large-scale, armed conflict between countries or between national, ethnic, or other sizeable groups, usually involving the engagement of military forces.


War is also verb with the meaning: to engage in conflict (may be followed by "with" to specify the foe).

check bellow for the other definitions of Hostility and War

  1. Hostility as a noun (uncountable):

    The state of being hostile.

    Examples:

    "My resentment and anger towards you caused hostility and a division between us."

  2. Hostility as a noun (countable):

    A hostile action, especially a military action. See for specific plural definition.

  1. War as a noun (uncountable):

    Organized, large-scale, armed conflict between countries or between national, ethnic, or other sizeable groups, usually involving the engagement of military forces.

    Examples:

    "The war was largely between Sunni and Shia militants."

  2. War as a noun (countable):

    A particular conflict of this kind.

  3. War as a noun (countable):

    By extension, any conflict, or anything resembling a conflict. A campaign against something. A bout of fierce competition in trade.

    Examples:

    "You look like you've been through the wars."

    "The "war on drugs" is a campaign against the use of narcotic drugs."

    "The "war on terror" is a campaign against terrorist crime."

    "In the US, conservatives rail against the "war on Christmas"."

    "I reaped the benefit of the car dealerships' price war, getting my car for far less than it's worth."

    "The cellular phone companies were engaged in a freebie war, each offering various services thrown in when one purchased a plan."

  4. War as a noun (obsolete, uncountable):

    Instruments of war.

  5. War as a noun (obsolete):

    Armed forces.

  6. War as a noun (uncountable):

    A particular card game for two players, notable for having its outcome predetermined by how the cards are dealt.

  1. War as a verb (intransitive):

    To engage in conflict (may be followed by "with" to specify the foe).

  2. War as a verb:

    To carry on, as a contest; to wage.