Hostility vs. Aggression — What's the Difference?

Hostility is seen as form of emotionally charged aggressive behavior. In everyday speech it is more commonly used as a synonym for anger and aggression.

Aggression is overt or covert, often harmful, social interaction with the intention of inflicting damage or other harm upon another individual. It may occur either reactively or without provocation.

The state of being hostile; antagonism or enmity.

The act of initiating hostilities or invasion.

A hostile act.

The practice or habit of launching attacks.

Hostilities Acts of war; overt warfare.

Hostile or destructive behavior or actions.

(uncountable) The state of being hostile.

The first attack, or act of hostility; the first act of injury, or first act leading to a war or a controversy; unprovoked attack; assault; as, a war of aggression. "Aggressions of power."

(countable) A hostile action, especially a military action. See hostilities for specific plural definition.

A disposition to behave aggressively

State of being hostile; public or private enemy; unfriendliness; animosity.

A feeling of hostility that arouses thoughts of attack

An act of an open enemy; a hostile deed; especially in the plural, acts of warfare; attacks of an enemy. See hostilities

Violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked

A hostile (very unfriendly) disposition;

The act of initiating hostilities

A state of deep-seated ill-will

Deliberately unfriendly behavior

The feeling of a hostile person;

Violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked

Acts of overt warfare;