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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
  • Since coming to power in 2012, the ruling populist party has gradually established control over mainstream media while often describing embattled critical outlets as enemies of the state.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Raz, in his MDA talk, said the backlash against Israel was a campaign orchestrated by radical activists and Israel’s enemies.
    — Stewart Ain, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of enemies
Noun
  • But the overall picture of religious infighting in 1640s Britain is essential to understanding how some people, especially poorer folk and especially women, found themselves on the wrong side of powerful, pious opponents.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The Bears slightly outgained the Seminoles 115-112 in the second half, holding their opponents to 13 fourth-quarter yards.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of opponents
Noun
  • This time, the TPLF appears to have mobilized widely, bringing together former foes in its stated goal of removing Abiy from power in Addis Ababa, the federal capital.
    — SAMUEL GETACHEW, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The last thing that Canada needs is a faction that can be exploited by foes — both foreign and domestic — in an attempt to break up Canada to better control its considerable wealth.
    — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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