hostile

[ hos-tl or, esp. British, -tahyl ]

/ ˈhɒs tl or, esp. British, -taɪl /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

hostelling, hostelry, hostess, hostess gown, hostie, hostile, hostile fire, hostile sexism, hostile takeover, hostile witness, hostilely

Origin of hostile

1585–95; < Latin hostīlis, equivalent to hostis enemy (see host²) + -īlis -ile

SYNONYMS FOR hostile

1 warlike, aggressive.

2 adverse, averse, contrary. 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.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hostile ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR hostile

1, 2 friendly.

3 sympathetic.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR hostile ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

hos·tile·ly, adverbin·ter·hos·tile, adjectivenon·hos·tile, adjectivenon·hos·tile·ly, adverb

o·ver·hos·tile, adjectiveo·ver·hos·tile·ly, adverbpre·hos·tile, adjectivesem·i·hos·tile, adjectivesem·i·hos·tile·ly, adverbun·hos·tile, adjectiveun·hos·tile·ly, adverb

Can be confused

hostel hostile (see synonym study at the current entry)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hostile

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|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|DAILY BEAST
And she went right down into a mine area, between two hostile sides.
Morgan Fairchild: Badass Foreign Policy Wonk|Asawin Suebsaeng|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"The concept of a hostile work environment was being discussed, it was a new thing," she says.
And Now Mitch McConnell Is the ‘Pro-Woman’ Candidate!|Eleanor Clift|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“London audiences can be really, really critical and hostile,” McKell stated.
London’s Pagan Counterculture Kings|Justin Jones|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This shows him that the hostile feeling against him tends to disappear.
The Idler Magazine, Volume III, June 1893|Various
Magnus, storming furiously forward at that moment, was wounded in the wrist as he was boarding a hostile ship.
Historical Tales, Vol. 9 (of 15)|Charles Morris
There was an immediate outbreak of hostile public opinion in Spain, which in Catalonia resulted in serious riots.
A History of Spain|Charles E. Chapman
Winter will drive the invaders home, so he sends back word that he will bide his time till the hostile fleet comes.
Canada: the Empire of the North|Agnes C. Laut
But two hundred hostile Indians so alarmed Boerstler that he attempted to retreat.
The Fight for a Free Sea: A Chronicle of the War of 1812|Ralph D. Paine

British Dictionary definitions for hostile

hostile

/ (ˈhɒstaɪl) /

adjective

antagonistic; opposed

of or relating to an enemy

unfriendly

noun

a hostile person; enemy

Derived Forms

hostilely, adverb

Word Origin for hostile

C16: from Latin hostīlis, from hostis enemy

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