hostile 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhä-stᵊl How to pronounce hostile (audio)
Definition of hostilenext
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

hostile

2 of 2

noun

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

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
Adjective
El Niños typically yield lesser periods of wind shear (or hostile winds) in the central and eastern Pacific, DaSilva said. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Wong supported the effort from Hong Kong through foreign media and social media, including sharing Law’s posts, to draw foreign countries’ attention and bolster the request for sanctions, blockade or other hostile measures, the prosecution said. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 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
  1. negative
  2. unfavorable
  3. enemy
  4. adverse
  5. harmful
  6. opponent
  7. antagonistic
  8. foe
Adjective
  • And as the backlash to generative AI continues to grow, especially in creative fields, those attempts are bringing in far more negative than positive attention.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
  • At least twice each fiscal year, school boards review updated financial projections and classify their districts’ fiscal health as positive, qualified or negative, after which county superintendents review each certification and may downgrade it.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of negative
Adjective
  • Affirm left Australia in 2023 shortly after unfavorable macroeconomic conditions prompted the company to lay off 19 percent of its workforce.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Polling has consistently shown most voters have an unfavorable view of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
    — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Noun
  • Blanche’s immediate predecessor, Pam Bondi, was ousted in April after failing to deliver successful prosecutions against the president’s political enemies.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than law enforcement authorities like the Coast Guard having to seize a vessel under civil seizure laws, the Department of Defense, usually through military force, can seize an enemy vessel instead.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of enemy
Adjective
  • Ustel said the ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The report identified adverse effects on dozens of historic properties, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and other landmarks.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • But fasted training isn’t necessarily harmful to muscle gain, Maroldi adds.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • What’s considered harmful to minors can be subjective, and this is where experts believe laws requiring age verification can run afoul of the First Amendment.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of harmful
Noun
  • But by defending in this way, Chelsea are giving smart opponents the advantage in the battle for possession.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • It was scheduled after Sandburg had its original Week 2 opponent back out.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of opponent
Adjective
  • Faced with the dominion of the identical copy, some modern artists chose to celebrate it; others took a more critical, even antagonistic stance.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In Central America, for example, ants feed on acacia trees, a relationship that, at first glance, appeared purely antagonistic.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of antagonistic
Noun
  • So far in the 2026 primary season at least five congressional Democrats – from Texas to Colorado – who are 65 or older have lost to younger foes amid the anti-establishment revolt.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • That sense of powerlessness against an unknowable, unkillable foe.
    — Keith Langston, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of foe

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hostesses
hostile
hostilely
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Cite this Entry

“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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