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
Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Jan. 2026
When a tip takes them further into the desert, the pair press on — even as the terrain turns forbiddingly hostile.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
And, unfortunately, the monitoring idea was born into a world hostile to its very premise.
—Robert S. Gable, IEEE Spectrum, 20 July 2017
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Adjective
Its previous bid briefly turned hostile last year after Cintas appealed directly to UniFirst shareholders after being rejected by the target company's board of directors.
—Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Jan. 2026
When a tip takes them further into the desert, the pair press on — even as the terrain turns forbiddingly hostile.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
People on social media continue to question her decision to speak at an event associated with rhetoric hostile to LGBTQ+ people and immigrants — communities that have long been the bedrock of her fan base.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
And, unfortunately, the monitoring idea was born into a world hostile to its very premise.
—Robert S. Gable, IEEE Spectrum, 20 July 2017
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostile
Adjective
-
Researchers revealed that the high-voltage output facilitates the neutralization and collection of dust and moisture by generating negative ions.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
By the end of the year, the Gallup Economic Confidence Index, which measures views of the economy and its future, stood at a whopping negative 33, down nearly 20 points since spring.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Just remember that Joe Biden’s administration had four years to open the files and disclose any possible news unfavorable to the Republicans.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
-
While 48% of the respondents who had heard of Talarico viewed him positively and 18% viewed him negatively, 48% of respondents familiar with Crockett had an unfavorable impression compared with the 40% who viewed her positively.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Michael Malone, during his Nuggets days, was a genius at creating enemies, of underlining slights that may or may not have ever been real.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Hurt by Israel’s large-scale infiltration and strikes last year, Iran’s regime moved swiftly to brand those demanding change as enemies of the state.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Public systems can be somewhat risk adverse.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Nekrasov said adverse weather conditions also left parts of several other regions without power, including Chernihiv, Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some harmful varieties closely resemble edible mushrooms, even to experienced foragers.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
On each phone, the lock screen image was a photo of a child who died young due to the harmful effects of social media.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Emmer has been a staunch opponent of Walz for some time, whose antagonism for the governor heightened once Walz became the vice presidential running mate to former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Garrett faced multiple opponents on 90 percent of his pass rushing snaps prior to Week 18, per PFF.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite their antagonistic start, the pair can’t help falling for each other and are now happily married with two children.—
Tanya Melendez,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
-
To below-the-line workers, longer deals will offer the promise, in the AMPTP’s view, of greater job security in a less antagonistic labor environment.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
In a season when so many things seemed to come full circle in New England, Vrabel and the Patriots will attempt to knock off a familiar postseason foe to shift the new era into another gear.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Cuba joined Iran, Russia and other foes of Washington in condemning the raid at the United Nations.—
Robert Muggah,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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