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
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
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
Generative AI tools have been met with a wary, and sometimes hostile, reception from the music industry, which views some of the technology as a threat to its business and IP.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 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
Paramount, a longtime champion of theatrical releasing, has made a hostile bid for all of WBD and began a 7-day window of negotiation with WBD’s board.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
Generative AI tools have been met with a wary, and sometimes hostile, reception from the music industry, which views some of the technology as a threat to its business and IP.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 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
-
Nestle, which makes Guigoz in France and SMA in the UK, said Thursday that stock shortages and returns of some formula products would have a marginally negative impact on its sales volumes this year.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Kennedy gets praise in some quarters for his campaign against food preservatives, but on balance his prescriptions have been far more negative than positive for the public interest.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Even then, couples with unfavorable Star sign synastry can last in the long term.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The same polling showed 57% of voters disapprove of Trump’s deportation policies and 60% hold an unfavorable view of ICE.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike the win in ‘80 that brought together a nation for an extended period in the face of foreign enemies, now those adversaries are our neighbors, or family members.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Feb. 2026
-
His title was removed for being an enemy of Britain under the 1917 act, which was enacted in 1919, once the war was over.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There are various pieces of gear designed for skiing in adverse avalanche conditions, Antibus said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Just under 6% of the 3,770 cases the board closed in 2024 resulted in adverse public action, according to the board’s annual report.—
Amber Gaudet
Updated February 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Ultimately, however, Kato said, the goal should not be to replace one plastic bead with a less harmful one.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Keep an eye out for any legitimate potential problems, especially those involving money, but there’s no need to assume harmful intentions.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As usual, Tkachuk was an effective agitator of and a menace to opponents in ways that don’t show up in the limited stats that Olympic hockey tracks.—
Chris Kudialis,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
-
No City Section opponent had come closer than 21 points until San Pedro lost to the Dolphins in Saturday’s semifinals by 15 points.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And among the supporting players, Woods is the most game of the wacky relatives, Qualley’s a hoot as an antagonistic presence, and Camp, a venerable character actor who’s always a great sight to see, is pretty much the heart of the movie.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The design, Hing said, intentionally inverts the traditional characterization of the yeak as an antagonistic or even demonic force.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Illinois was the third Quadrant 1 opponent and 10th conference foe UCLA has beaten this season with four games left before the Big Ten tournament tips off.—
Sean Campbell,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
When wind or solar energy projects apply for permits at county councils and zoning commissions across the United States, supporters and foes often pack the rooms to testify for or against.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
