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

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

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
Gaines said some people directed insults and hostile looks toward her, but many others requested photographs, thanked her, offered fist bumps and quietly expressed support for her position. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Kuwait also said its air defenses confronted hostile drone attacks by Iran. — Azhar Sukri,terri Cullen, CNBC, 1 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
  • That left the debtor having to prove the negative that the debtor really didn't have any way to re-establish control over trust assets, and such was (and still is) a very tough sell.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There is some debate in our field about, again, these higher-level components of pain, the emotional negative valence that’s associated with pain.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of negative
Adjective
  • None of this indicates that the terms are unfavorable to creators.
    — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The poll showed Rogers himself at 29% favorable and 32% unfavorable.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Noun
  • Friday is here and that means all you Competitive Wordle players, playing against your friends, co-workers, rivals, enemies, or against me or the Wordle Bot, must double your points, whether positive or negative.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Months turned into years, and on August 6, 1945, Kakita and his brother heard of an enemy aircraft sighting.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of enemy
Adjective
  • And the very review of the arch that identified its adverse effects is in the crosshairs of the administration.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The Coastal Commission is widely expected to take any adverse ruling to court, potentially arguing that the federal government can’t deny a state its fundamental rights — in this case, a say over projects that affect its economy — over politics.
    — Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • Several dietary supplements were recalled in July because of possible undeclared prescription drugs, harmful bacteria or allergens.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The air district is warning residents that wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter and other harmful pollutants, adding that exposure is unhealthy, even for short periods of time.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of harmful
Noun
  • Some opponents of the merger have argued that the deal will effectively consolidate all of March Madness under one corporate umbrella and ultimately harm competition for college sports rights.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Their assertions come on the heels of Class 6A Thomas County Central’s historic season in which the Yellow Jackets averaged nearly 54 points per game and beat every opponent by 14 or more on the way to a 15-0 season.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of opponent
Adjective
  • The long-time TV veteran maintained a recurring part as dominatrix Lady Heather in six episodes of CSI from 2001 to 2011 and later booked another meaty antagonistic role on Nikita.
    — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The continued division of Korea into two antagonistic states underscores the limits of land power.
    — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of antagonistic
Noun
  • Worrell’s frequent foe, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, bashed her over Rundell’s past on social media, suggesting dropped cases previously left the teen free to commit murder this summer.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, friends and foes alike were reminded that allies of the United States cannot be certain that their interests will be protected during a war or that Washington will even consult with them before deciding to use force.
    — KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 6 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hostile for Spanish Speakers

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