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
Relevance
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
Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Chavez said the union has been ground up by the system - conservative politicians, hostile growers and an adversarial state Agricultural Labor Relations Board - created in 1975 in response to the growing influence of the farmworkers movement.
—Marcos Breton, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 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
The paratroopers are trained to jump into hostile or contested areas to secure key territory and airfields.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Chavez said the union has been ground up by the system - conservative politicians, hostile growers and an adversarial state Agricultural Labor Relations Board - created in 1975 in response to the growing influence of the farmworkers movement.
—Marcos Breton, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 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
-
This could be about your past or something ongoing, positive or negative.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
-
During opening arguments, Mark Lanier presented the jury internal company documents from Meta and YouTube that showed tech executives knew of and discussed the negative effects of their products on children.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Missing the deadline can lock beneficiaries into unfavorable drug coverage for the year.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But soon after, the city offered different rulings unfavorable to the Eddses as to where the boundaries are and where the couple could develop.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Person after person portrayed Democrats as the enemy trying to drive a wedge between conservatives in an election year, where Republicans want to keep control of Congress and win races up and down the ballot.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Swalwell was among those named by Patel, who has said that his critics are mischaracterizing the appendix by calling it an enemies list.—
Perry Stein The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether to report adverse events — illnesses or deaths potentially related to the products — to the FDA is largely at manufacturers’ discretion.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Fugitives are allowed the first shot lest the officer face investigation, charges, interrogation by attorneys, and even adverse public opinion.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The same jury acquitted Lopez of more than a dozen other charges and hung on five counts of sending harmful material to a minor.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
While the video amused viewers, experts warn that repeatedly hitting the snooze button can be harmful.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And yet the first half Sunday felt worse, because of the appalling volume of wide open Pacers three-pointers and the poor quality of the injury-riddled opponent.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Heat have gone 23-22 against Eastern Conference opponents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Every show’s got their characters that are sort of the odd man out or the antagonistic energies, and that’s who Rocky played.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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After Kennedy, Prasad is the senior official most antagonistic toward pharmaceutical companies.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The teams are potential first-round playoff foes, depending on how high the 10th-place Hornets can climb in the conference standings.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That sounds more like a right-wing foe of public financing than a supporter.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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