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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
While not overtly hostile, a recording of the video conference obtained by ABC News shows palpable tension and some awkward exchanges, as Nevada officials seemed deeply skeptical of the claims made by DHS. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 Britain’s 2025 National Security Strategy named Russia the country’s most acute threat and flagged Iranian hostile activity. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
During the recent demonstration test, the Bird of Prey took off from a launch cradle, and once in the air was able to autonomously search for, detect, and classify a target drone standing in for a hostile. — David Szondy april 04, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2026 But no one has just been out-and-out hostile to him. — Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 28 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
  • The other was secured partly by a stake in a private equity management company, with a negative pledge on the owner’s team stake, meaning the owner agreed not to pledge it to anyone else.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Charlotte de Brabandt has undergone years of cancer treatment and multiple surgeries after she was diagnosed with a rare form of triple negative, stage 3, inflammatory breast cancer in 2022 at the age of 35.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of negative
Adjective
  • But in a midterm environment broadly seen as unfavorable to Republicans, Democrats see a competitive opportunity to flip control of Congress amid growing economic discontent over rising gas and fertilizer costs in the agriculture-heavy state.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Falcons’ bout with the 49ers appeared unfavorable on paper.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Noun
  • Compassion doesn’t mean that presidents or other public officials should bow to enemies or surrender common sense in tackling the world’s harsh realities.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • And despite huge military spending, Saudi forces have struggled to deter their enemies.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of enemy
Adjective
  • In recent years, cocoa prices have surged due to adverse weather across key West African producing regions.
    — , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Batie-Smoose seeks reinstatement or a comparable job, compensation and correction of adverse personnel records.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • And users can report inaccurate, toxic or harmful content by clicking the thumbs down icon shown at the bottom of the response.
    — Robin Brewer, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Mark Zuckerberg spent years overriding the warnings and requests of his own investors to reduce or eliminate the harmful and addictive content leading to immense public harm.
    — Andrew Behar, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of harmful
Noun
  • Sorrells said that his opponent’s assessment is Ill-informed.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But that game was in New York and this one was in Charlotte’s backyard and, more importantly, against a far better opponent.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of opponent
Adjective
  • His reputation for having a gruff demeanor, Sweet says, is accurate, but attack ads that portray him as antagonistic toward women go too far.
    — Julia Terruso, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Although Sullivan is widely viewed by trawlers as less antagonistic, the industry has also been squeezed by rising costs from tariffs, insurance, and fuel.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of antagonistic
Noun
  • The backup looked functional, if not better, in his lone start against a top-10 foe, but the sample size remains small.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The team totaled 463 yards against the Cougars, its most against a conference foe since amassing 578 yards against the Mountaineers.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of foe

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Cite this Entry

“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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