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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hostile
W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Peter is the most outwardly hostile and simultaneously most recognizably earthbound of the film’s three brothers.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
That’s coupled with a more hostile political environment for diversity-forward businesses.
—Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
The crowd was right on top of you there, the students rimmed the court, the very definition of a hostile environment.
—Jim Calhoun With Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Adjective
But Newsom may also help position Democrats as pro-riot and hostile to immigration controls and law enforcement more generally.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Peter is the most outwardly hostile and simultaneously most recognizably earthbound of the film’s three brothers.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
That’s coupled with a more hostile political environment for diversity-forward businesses.
—Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
The crowd was right on top of you there, the students rimmed the court, the very definition of a hostile environment.
—Jim Calhoun With Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostile
Adjective
-
On key international conflicts, Trump's ratings skew negative.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
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However, there is one caveat that needs to be addressed: the negative fan score was posted before the show was even released.—
Braedon Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Macroeconomic Vulnerability Broadcom’s stock has exhibited lower resilience during unfavorable market conditions compared to the overall market.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
The deal allegedly promised Netanyahu positive coverage in Mozes’ newspaper Yediot Ahronoth while the Israeli Prime Minister would consider legislation unfavorable to rival newspaper Israel Hayom.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
26 June 2025
Noun
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In a pre-recorded video message, Khamenei claimed that American involvement signals Israel's weakness, adding that Iran's retaliatory actions have weakened the enemy.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
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As Gramm and Boudreaux write toward book’s end, poverty in the U.S. is continually being redefined in ways that support their contention that capitalism isn’t the enemy of the poor.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Risks and precautions Research has shown that NSAIDs have multiple adverse effects and should be used with caution, both doctors pointed out.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
-
Hall’s Visual Language Access and Acquisition Lab is a leader in researching those adverse effects and possible solutions.—
Alan Schwarz,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Research has found that building roads can fragment habitats, disrupt ecosystems, and increase erosion and sediment pollution in drinking water, among other potentially harmful outcomes.—
Hayley Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
-
Bezos' wedding splurge is seen as unnecessary and harmful by protesters.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
In a 6-to-3 decision by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the Court backed a request by the Trump Administration to limit the authority of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions, a powerful tool by which Trump's opponents have been able to halt many of his policies in recent months.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
27 June 2025
-
Under ideal circumstances, Van would have had a full camp to fight an opponent ranked between No. 5 and No. 10 following his UFC 316 win.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Feldstein Soto says that COVID-19, antagonistic juries are at fault.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
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Whether Earle-Sears can consolidate those suburban inroads — or whether Spanberger can capitalize on anger over the Trump administration's antagonistic approach to the federal workforce — may very well decide the race.—
Margaret Barthel,
NPR,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
The two longtime foes have traded direct strikes against one another since Israel launched a massive series of attacks against Iran last week, alleging that Tehran was secretly moving toward producing a nuclear weapon, a claim denied by Iranian officials.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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The open conflict sparked by Israel’s sudden barrage of attacks against Iran’s nuclear and military structure shows no signs of abating on the seventh day of hostilities between the two longtime foes that threatens to spiral into a wider, more dangerous regional war.—
Elena Becatoros,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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