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
Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The officers did not say why the crowd seemed hostile to police, but did not disagree when one of the attorneys suggested that people streaming from the bars into gunfire that night may have mistakenly thought that law enforcement started the shooting.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 12 May 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 10th Circuit Court of Appeals this week ruled against a White correctional officer who alleged DEI training from the Colorado Department of Corrections created a racially hostile work environment.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The officers did not say why the crowd seemed hostile to police, but did not disagree when one of the attorneys suggested that people streaming from the bars into gunfire that night may have mistakenly thought that law enforcement started the shooting.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 12 May 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
-
However, Chloe later admitted that, despite their best efforts, her parents’ divorce — and the rumors and publicity surrounding it — did have a negative effect on her.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
So none of the negative press circling around him manifested as a problem in your working relationship?—
Zak Cheney-Rice,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Another survey, released Thursday and conducted by Emerson College Polling Massachusetts, reported 45% of its respondents viewed Healey favorably, with 35% having unfavorable view of the governor, and 20% undecided.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
Gray faux-wood flooring Much like beige and white are unfavorable palettes these days, gray is an unwelcome choice for finishes.—
Madeline Bilis,
Architectural Digest,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Squad and platoon leaders can quickly launch drones to scout terrain, identify enemy positions and adjust movements without waiting for external support.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
The nation’s capital is crawling with right-wing enemies of Social Security who would like nothing more.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Post-Adverse Outcome Disclosure Obligations The replacement bill also creates disclosure obligations after an adverse outcome.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Prolonged stress can have adverse consequences, especially for pregnant mothers, children and critically ill patients.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The physical displacement drives the flow of CSF through the brain’s tissues, potentially carrying away harmful waste products.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
None of this makes AI harmful in itself.—
Jonathan Avery,
STAT,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Unsurprisingly, opponents of surrogacy have seized on the Arcadia scandal to call for an outright ban on the practice.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Sara Keck struck out eight while going the distance as Wilmington won 5-1 over Middlesex League opponent Lexington.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
The limits of sanctions on Iran Since 1979, relations between Washington and Iran have been antagonistic.—
Charmaine N. Willis,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
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Their announcement was a departure from what has been the more typically adversarial relationship between Mamdani and Menin, who stand on different ends of the Democratic Party spectrum and have developed mostly antagonistic positions in the city’s budget process.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But soon enough, old secrets and new foes force them back together.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
-
The nonconference schedule is loaded with power conference foes and could be the most ambitious in school history.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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