hostile

[hos-tl, -tahyl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy.

   a hostile nation.

   Synonyms: aggressive, warlike
   Antonyms: friendly

2. opposed in feeling, action, or character; antagonistic.

   hostile criticism.

   Synonyms: contrary, averse, adverse
   Antonyms: friendly

3. characterized by antagonism.

   Antonyms: sympathetic

4. not friendly, warm, or generous; not hospitable.

noun

1. a person or thing that is antagonistic or unfriendly.

2. Military.,  an enemy soldier, plane, ship, etc.

hostile

/ ˈhɒstaɪl /

adjective

1. antagonistic; opposed

2. of or relating to an enemy

3. unfriendly

noun

1. a hostile person; enemy

Other Word Forms

• hostilely adverb
• interhostile adjective
• nonhostile adjective
• nonhostilely adverb
• overhostile adjective
• overhostilely adverb
• prehostile adjective
• semihostile adjective
• semihostilely adverb
• unhostile adjective
• unhostilely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostile¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin hostīlis, equivalent to hostis “enemy” ( host ² ) + -īlis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostile¹

C16: from Latin hostīlis, from hostis enemy

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

The city said it passed the ordinance to “advance public safety and prevent retail theft,” citing “hostile and unsafe” conditions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He characterized China's approach as building monopoly positions on magnets and other elements, calling it "a rather sinister and hostile move, to say the least."

Read more on Barron's

“Videogames offer an immersive and easily accessible arena for persuasion and propaganda for hostile states, organized criminals and extremist groups,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Why can baseball and basketball players do their jobs with 60,000 hostile fans cursing at full volume but golfers and tennis players need complete silence to do theirs?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Team Europe’s stalwarts, unfazed by the hostile crowd, got unimaginably hot.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• adverse 
• belligerent 
• bitter 
• contentious 
• contrary 
• hateful 
• inhospitable 
• inimical 
• nasty 
• opposed 
• unfavorable 
• unfriendly 
• unsympathetic