Which term best describes behavior that arouses hostility where there was previously affection?

The term that best describes behavior that causes hostility to develop where there was once affection is "disaffect." This word refers to the process of becoming estranged or losing affection or goodwill toward someone or something. When behavior leads to disaffection, it suggests a breakdown of previously positive feelings, resulting in a shift toward indifference or hostility.

"Disaffect" captures this transformation effectively, implying that initial feelings of fondness or warmth have been compromised by certain actions or behaviors. This aligns perfectly with the idea of eliciting negativity in a context where positive emotions once flourished.

In contrast, other terms such as "afflict" generally suggest causing pain or suffering, rather than changing someone's feelings of affection. "Alienate" might also seem relevant, but it often focuses more broadly on making someone feel isolated or excluded rather than specifically addressing the loss of affection. "Disconcert" pertains to causing someone to feel unsettled or confused, which does not convey the specific idea of transforming affection into hostility.