HOSTILE Synonyms: 226 Similar and Opposite Words

hostile 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhä-stᵊl

Definition of hostile

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

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

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

Adjective

On the contrary, airpower remains the most potent piece of the United States’ conventional forces, as well as its main source of both deterrent capacity and warfighting advantage against conventional aggression by hostile states. — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026 After all, what could go wrong sitting atop three million barrels of oil while a hostile country fires missiles and drones at it? — Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

During the recent demonstration test, the Bird of Prey took off from a launch cradle, and once in the air was able to autonomously search for, detect, and classify a target drone standing in for a hostile. — David Szondy april 04, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2026 But no one has just been out-and-out hostile to him. — Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hostile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostile

Adjective

To that end, Musk’s average favorability rating — net negative 16 percentage points as of Wednesday, according to Decision Desk HQ — has additionally improved, although only slightly, since July 2025 when his favorability was at its nadir.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The beats create ample negative space for Holden to employ riskier flows, often deploying a double-time pace to burn through technically dense passages.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of negative

Adjective

The most egregious perpetrators of fraud in the industry were corrupt doctors who were paid by patients to send insurance companies medical examination reports that omitted unfavorable findings.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Democratic socialism is underwater by 22 points, 37% of Americans are favorable and 59% are unfavorable.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfavorable

Noun

And strength to resist reducing complex human challenges to slogans, enemies, or simple answers.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
In other words, the brain makes sure that the Valkyrie follows European protocols about when to engage with and fire upon an enemy.

— David Szondy October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of enemy

Adjective

In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation says the nationwide average for a review is 16 days, and that 98% of those reviews conclude that the project will have no adverse effect on nearby historic resources.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
High prices also a factor But despite positive weather news and whispers of an abundance of crab, other factors could affect prices in adverse ways for consumers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of adverse

Adjective

Local government and outside groups have long strived to ban the popular tourist attraction that critics argue is harmful to horses’ well-being.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Waters are becoming cloudier overall, while harmful algal blooms — measured through chlorophyll a levels — are trending in the wrong direction, the report found.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

To MacArthur, solitary reading was antagonistic to the Army’s aims.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Related Stories Additionally, Flanagan was interested in recruiting Sloyan to play Carrie’s religious and antagonistic mother, Margaret White, unforgettably played by Piper Laurie in the film.

— William Earl, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of antagonistic

Noun

After building an action camera capable of tracking speedy cyclists and skiers, HoverAir decided to tackle a foe that had foiled other consumer drone manufacturers.

— Max Cea, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Ward is 3-19 as a starting quarterback, which includes a 0-7 mark against AFC South foes, and is staring another loss to a divisional rival in the face with the Titans traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts on Sunday.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of foe

Browse Nearby Words

hostesses

hostile

hostilely

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Style

“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hostile

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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