hostiles

noun

plural of hostile
as in enemies
one that is hostile toward another reports of hostiles in the area kept the settlers on edge

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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 hostiles Reacher counts 13 hostiles in his surveillance of this makeshift WMD lab. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostiles
  1. enemies
  2. opponents
  3. foes
Noun
  • Continue reading … STAR WARS — America's enemies prepare to take the next major war into outer space.
    — , FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than growing up on the paradise island of Themyscira, Kelly Thompson’s Wonder Woman is raised in Hell by the witch Circe — historically one of her greatest enemies.
    — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of enemies
Noun
  • John James and Mike Rogers, while both Republicans, are very different political candidates running markedly different campaigns against two very different opponents.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Meanwhile, opinion journalists for McClatchy Media conducted interviews with supporters and opponents of all 14.
    — Chris Fusco, Sacbee.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of opponents
Noun
  • But it is deeply connected to Proposition 40 and is funded by foes of the billionaire tax.
    — Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Assassination attempts against Putin's foes -- routinely denied by the Kremlin -- have been common during his decades in power.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of foes

Browse Nearby Words

hostilely
hostiles
hostilities
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Cite this Entry

“Hostiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostiles. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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