hostile 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhä-stᵊl How to pronounce hostile (audio)
Definition of hostilenext
1
as in negative
marked by opposition or ill will the suggestions for change were given a hostile reception by some of the longtime employees

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfavorable
opposed to one's interests the company's president vows to fight the hostile takeover by the giant corporation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hostile

2 of 2

noun

as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another reports of hostiles in the area kept the settlers on edge

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hostile
Adjective
First Officer Becca Bang (Ariana DeBose) fights to survive a hostile alien past. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 She and her husband have also been criticized for fostering a hostile work environment. — Lucas Shaw, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
But no one has just been out-and-out hostile to him. — Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026 Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello told jurors that Bushey had a history of acting hostile toward family members and that his sister’s abrupt presence in the home set him off, leading him to act out and her to fear for her safety. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hostile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostile
  1. negative
  2. unfavorable
  3. enemy
  4. adverse
  5. harmful
  6. opponent
  7. antagonistic
  8. foe
Adjective
  • Consequently, the plant could potentially become net-negative—removing more CO₂ from the atmosphere than the entire system emits during its life cycle.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026
  • However, a whole-brain analysis did show distinct patterns of activity when the dogs saw faces showing the negative emotions.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of negative
Adjective
  • As the system moves closer to the Lesser Antilles, upper-level winds are likely to be unfavorable for additional development, according to the center's latest update.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
  • During two meetings in June, Alston was evaluated and received unfavorable feedback, the meeting minutes state.
    — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Noun
  • The two started off as enemies as Judy joined the Zootopia Police Department, but then put aside their differences to solve a mystery in the animal city.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Inspired by true events, her feature film debut tells the dark story of a small northeastern German village at the end of WWII, when the Nazi regime gave its citizens the order to leave nothing alive for the enemy to find.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of enemy
Adjective
  • Her lawsuit made a number of claims of adverse employment actions.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Ask for the specific reasons in writing, specifically naming the adverse action notice requirement.
    — TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • These spurious claims about childhood vaccines will only increase vaccine hesitation with harmful results.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • One reason for this is that peppermint oil has known antimicrobial properties and can destroy harmful microorganisms.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of harmful
Noun
  • Oklahoma, where Daniels played last season, shared several common opponents with LSU, where Perkins spent his four-year college career.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The leader of anti-immigration party Reform UK is running in an election as the incumbent favorite, and his main opponent is a man dressed as a garbage can.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of opponent
Adjective
  • When Meloni came into office as the leader of a political party with post-fascist roots, she had been expected to be antagonistic toward Europe and extreme in her views on foreign policy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • African-American architecture is usually in environments antagonistic to their existence or contributions.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of antagonistic
Noun
  • His political foes described the move as a stunt and opted against standing a candidate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The good guys protecting us from people who want to work and live here will continue their morally upright quest by electrocuting their foes into submission.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of foe

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hostesses
hostile
hostilely
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Cite this Entry

“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hostile for Spanish Speakers

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