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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
reports of hostiles in the area kept the settlers on edge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hostile
Shibani Mahtani,
NPR,
21 June 2026
Additionally, many Americans whose relatives were killed or captured overseas were hostile to the prisoners.
—
Helaine Williams,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
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
Adjective
Instead, they've been met by a hostile bureaucracy.
—
Shibani Mahtani,
NPR,
21 June 2026
Additionally, many Americans whose relatives were killed or captured overseas were hostile to the prisoners.
—
Helaine Williams,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 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
Adjective
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But a recent poll shows that a majority abroad have a negative view of the country.
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Bass’ handling of the Palisades fire has had a long-lasting, negative impact on voters’ opinions of her.
Adjective
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The undertaking might seem crazy to those who diss the fight game or have unfavorable reviews of the current administration.
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Negotiating power is harder to see—until conditions become unfavorable and someone needs to act against the system their balance sheet depends on.
Noun
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Corlys and Lohar find each other in the scrum and both land powerful blows before Corlys is thrown into the sea, leaving Alyn of Hull to finish off his father’s enemy.
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After hours of fighting in the close urban setting, Dockery used smoke grenades to signal enemy positions for American gunships.
Adjective
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If an underwriting decision goes against you, ask for the reason; New York's rule, and others like it, were written partly to force insurers to explain adverse decisions rather than shrug at them.
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These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.
Adjective
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Telegram said its moderation systems remove millions of pieces of harmful content each month, including non-consensual pornography.
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Developing a negative self-view as a result of these harmful experiences during your formative years is not uncommon.
Noun
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That puts those Lawler-supporting Democrats in the unique position of helping choose his next opponent by voting in the June 23 primary.
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Instead, Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room made an incredible 15 saves and Ecuador walked away with a humbling result against an opponent it was heavily favored to beat.
Adjective
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The cowgirl character teams with old friend Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) to battle a tech takeover of their home from an antagonistic frog tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee).
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And given this context, Anthropic’s actions are viewed by many within Washington as not simply unwise, but actively antagonistic.
Noun
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The two battled, with the Sea Snake about to make the kill after stabbing his foe in the thigh.
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The South American roster of Leviatán took down Global Esports and NRG in the Swiss Stage to advance to the playoff bracket, but were then met with a formidable foe in the shape of Paper Rex.
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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