display hostility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "display hostility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's behavior or attitude that shows anger or aggression towards someone or something. Example: "During the meeting, he began to display hostility towards his colleagues, making it difficult to reach a consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But while he could be readily influenced by the underlying agenda or the emotive side-issues of a case "I just want to get the feel of it," he would say, as he probed to and beyond the margins of relevance he would rarely display hostility to those cases which, in his court at least, did not stand a chance.

The Guardian

Both the defendant's brother, Jude, and the girls' former coach, Gavin Bradford, denied ever seeing him display hostility to his daughters.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"There are anti-European opinions and parties not only in Finland but across Europe displaying hostility to using taxpayers' money for helping neighbors in need".

The New York Times

Mr. Santorum displayed hostility toward academia in 2002 when he wrote a column for the Web site Catholic Online that linked the pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church with an overall cultural corrosion.

The New York Times

Priests and ministers protested, and a group called Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit organization associated with the Christian college Liberty University in Virginia, accused New York City of violating the Constitution by removing the creche but leaving a Christmas tree and a menorah, thus displaying "hostility to Christianity".

The New York Times

Under section 28 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, these three Public Order Act offences are treated as religiously aggravated if, at the time of the offence or immediately before, the offender displays hostility towards the victim based on the victim's membership (or presumed membership) of a religious group.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I never had any problems in school, which is why it's outrageous that they are saying I was a troublemaker who was speaking out against the school and displaying hostility toward the school," Megan said, referring to a newspaper account of the dispute.

The New York Times

Young produced the group's 1990 EP Demolition Plot J-7, but displayed hostility toward then-current drummer Jason Fawkes.

Wikipedia

I should have challenged every person who uttered a racist joke or racial slur, every person who displayed hostility toward those with skin different from their own, every person who implied hostility through attitude or tendency.

Huffington Post

This matches previous descriptions of RF- patients displaying hostility and aggression more readily than RF+ patients [ 63].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Be cautious with anyone who displays hostility towards a gender or tends to verbally degrade and stereotype an entire gender: "They're all bitches or sluts", "They say one thing when they really mean another,".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "display hostility", consider the audience and choose synonyms like "exhibit animosity" or "show aggression" depending on the desired formality and emotional intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "display hostility" when milder expressions of disagreement or criticism are more appropriate. Overusing strong terms can diminish their impact and make your writing seem biased or exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "display hostility" functions as a verb phrase where 'display' acts as a transitive verb taking 'hostility' as its direct object. It describes the action of outwardly showing animosity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "display hostility" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the outward expression of animosity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media, wiki and science contexts, as displayed in the examples provided. When using the phrase, writers should aim for clarity and precision, avoiding overuse of emotive language and being mindful of the specific nuance they wish to convey. Alternative phrases, like "exhibit animosity", can offer a more formal tone if necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibit animosity

Uses 'animosity', suggesting a deeper, more ingrained feeling of dislike than simple hostility.

show aggression

Focuses on the behavioral manifestation of hostility, emphasizing the active and potentially harmful nature.

demonstrate antagonism

Highlights the active opposition or resistance implied in the display of hostility.

express resentment

Specifically indicates that the hostility stems from a feeling of being wronged or unfairly treated.

reveal animus

Similar to 'exhibit animosity' but slightly more formal and emphasizes the underlying ill will.

manifest aggression

Stresses the outward and observable nature of the aggressive behavior resulting from hostility.

betray bitterness

Suggests that the hostility is a suppressed or reluctantly revealed emotion, often with a sense of disappointment.

give vent to animosity

Highlights the act of releasing or expressing previously restrained feelings of hostility.

project animosity

Emphasizes the outward directing of negative feelings or hostility onto others.

unleash fury

Implies a sudden and intense outburst of anger and aggression, representing a more extreme form of displayed hostility.

FAQs

How can I use "display hostility" in a sentence?

You can use "display hostility" to describe instances where someone shows antagonism. For instance: "The defendant did not "display hostility" to his daughters" or "The documents seemed to show several Arab nations "displaying such hostility" that King Abdullah repeatedly implored Washington to cut off the head of the snake".

What are some alternatives to "display hostility"?

Alternatives include "exhibit animosity", "show aggression", or "demonstrate antagonism", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "display hostility" formal or informal language?

"Display hostility" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, synonyms like "exhibit animosity" might be preferred for added sophistication.

Which is correct, "display hostility toward" or "display hostility against"?

"Display hostility toward" is generally preferred and more common than "display hostility against". "Toward" indicates direction or orientation of the hostility.