hostile

[ hos-tl, -tahyl ]

See synonyms for hostile on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy: a hostile nation.
opposed in feeling, action, or character; antagonistic: hostile criticism.

characterized by antagonism.
not friendly, warm, or generous; not hospitable.

noun

a person or thing that is antagonistic or unfriendly.
Military. an enemy soldier, plane, ship, etc.

Origin of hostile

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin hostīlis, equivalent to hostis “enemy” (see host²) + -īlis -ile

synonym study For hostile

2. Hostile, inimical indicate that which characterizes an enemy or something injurious to one's interests. Hostile applies to the spirit, attitude, or action of an enemy: They showed a hostile and menacing attitude. Inimical applies to an antagonistic or injurious tendency or influence: Their remarks were inimical to his reputation.

Other words for hostile

1	warlike, aggressive
2	adverse, averse, contrary

See synonyms for hostile on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for hostile

1, 2	friendly
3	sympathetic

See antonyms for hostile on Thesaurus.com

Other words from hostile

hos·tile·ly, adverb
in·ter·hos·tile, adjective
non·hos·tile, adjective
non·hos·tile·ly, adverb
o·ver·hos·tile, adjective
o·ver·hos·tile·ly, adverb
pre·hos·tile, adjective
sem·i·hos·tile, adjective
sem·i·hos·tile·ly, adverb
un·hos·tile, adjective
un·hos·tile·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with hostile

hostel, hostile

Words Nearby hostile

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hostile in a sentence

By contrast, a gun will allow a pilot to attack hostile forces that are less than 300 feet from friendly ground forces.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019 | Dave Majumdar | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They were alone and unarmed in hostile territory without even having the reassurance of radio communications.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley | Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Both had been accused of acts hostile to the North Korean state.
To Free American Prisoners, America’s Top Spy Goes to North Korea | Shane Harris | November 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
De Merode is hundreds of miles from his wife and daughters, encircled by hostile forces, a target on the back of his uniform.
A Belgian Prince, Gorillas, Guerrillas & the Future of the Congo | Nina Strochlic | November 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
For years, young voters in America have been unenthusiastic about, if not outright hostile toward, the GOP.
New Harvard Study Finds the Door to Millennial Vote Is Open to GOP | Kristen Soltis Anderson | October 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

He obeyed without remark, though with an unsteady voice, as he uttered communications he knew were so hostile to her expectation.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
We met like hostile bulls, and wonder not that we should plunge at once upon each other's horns!
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
He was a good judge of men, that eagle-faced major; he knew that the slightest move with hostile intent would mean a smoking gun.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclair
Then affairs almost reached the point where the province was in hostile array, one side against another.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624 | Various
She knew that Alessandro had no knife, and had gone forward with no hostile intent; but she knew nothing beyond that.
Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson

British Dictionary definitions for hostile

hostile

/ (ˈhɒstaɪl) /

adjective

antagonistic; opposed
of or relating to an enemy

unfriendly

noun

a hostile person; enemy

Origin of hostile

C16: from Latin hostīlis, from hostis enemy

Derived forms of hostile

hostilely, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse