hostility
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hostility
A hostile statement or action directed against someone, intended to hurt, belittle, or attack the person. Often used in the plural.
Nach seiner umstrittenen Rede sah sich der Politiker massiven Anfeindungen ausgesetzt.
After his controversial speech, the politician was subjected to massive hostility.
'Anfeindung' (hostility) comes from the word 'der Feind' (the enemy). An 'Anfeindung' is therefore an action with which you treat someone like an enemy.
Nach dem Streit betrachteten sie sich als Feinde.
After the argument, they regarded each other as enemies.
This noun is almost always used in the plural ('Anfeindungen'), since it is usually about repeated or multiple hostile actions.
Die Journalistin berichtete von täglichen Anfeindungen im Internet.
The journalist reported daily hostile attacks online.
A very common and fixed expression is 'Anfeindungen ausgesetzt sein' (to be exposed to hostility/hostile attacks). It means that someone is the target of hostile attacks.
Als erste Frau in dieser Position war sie vielen Anfeindungen ausgesetzt.
As the first woman in this position, she was subjected to a lot of hostility.
attack
Both words can refer to hostile words directed at a person. Angriff emphasizes sharp criticism intended to harm or discredit someone or something. Anfeindung focuses more on hurtful or belittling treatment and is often used in the plural.
Die Anfeindungen in den Kommentaren sollten die Sprecherin öffentlich herabsetzen.
The hostile remarks in the comments were intended to publicly belittle the spokesperson.
Der scharfe Angriff in dem Kommentar sollte die Sprecherin öffentlich diskreditieren.
The sharp attack in the comment was intended to publicly discredit the spokesperson.
