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
March 9, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
Regional police forces, primarily in the capital region around Tehran and in western Iran, near areas dominated by Kurdish groups hostile to the Iranian government, have also been targeted.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 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
Steyer's general counsel warned that a hostile federal administration could attempt to exploit any legal ambiguity if Swalwell were elected, potentially raising questions about the state's authority to deploy the California National Guard, access federal funding, or respond to emergencies.
—March 9, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
Regional police forces, primarily in the capital region around Tehran and in western Iran, near areas dominated by Kurdish groups hostile to the Iranian government, have also been targeted.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 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
-
Their advocacy reflects a growing consensus that social media’s negative effects on kids’ mental health and social lives outweigh the benefits.—
Ramesh Ponnuru,
Washington Post,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Average negative evaluation stood at 67 percent.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Republican Party has similarly bleak numbers, with 51% of respondents expressing an unfavorable view.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Lodaya noted his previous reservations for Westlake, as well as the broad ethylene sector, included a shrinking ethane advantage and unfavorable polyethylene supply-demand dynamics.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, the Afghans claimed that more than 50 enemy soldiers had died along the border.—
Mihir Sharma,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
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The ship bears the name of a Marine Corps Reserve member who was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1952 for holding off enemy forces and shielding fellow Marines during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Honeycutt noted that the executive order came just days before the House Agriculture Committee was considering a five-year farm bill that would shield manufacturers from litigation related to adverse health impacts when the chemicals are used in accordance with federal law.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
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Short-term exposure by inhalation can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue respiratory irritation and other adverse health effects, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When asked about Trump’s immigration policies — which have been controversial and are viewed by some Venezuelan residents as harmful to their community — Rodriguez first expressed support.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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As these processes unfold, the nuclear pore is also blocking things that don’t belong, such as harmful enzymes or misfolded RNAs.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Marcus Smart stepped in front of driving opponents.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The club also won its first three league matches for the first time while outscoring its opponents 6-0.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Make government smaller, faster, and less antagonistic to people who want to build a life.—
Mike Garcia,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
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In a film that nimbly walks the tightrope between lightheartedness and weightlessness, Jerry and Mabel’s antagonistic relationship ends up proving the unexpected core of the story.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In Oakland, the company has encountered numerous foes, including former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, who unsuccessfully tried to indict Radius on numerous felony charges in 2023 over a massive fire that left black smoke billowing in the sky.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Over that eight-game win streak, only two foes had shot better than 50% from the floor (UNLV, Air Force) and only one — the Zoomies — had connected at a 40% clip or better from beyond the arc.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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