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

Derived Forms

• ˈhostilely, adverb

Other Words From

• 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

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

He created a hostile work environment, but he did not fire you.

From Ozy

Ever since, advocates have argued that NDAs are a silencing mechanism that help perpetuate hostile work environments by keeping complaints hidden from the public.

From Washington Post

In America’s uncivil war, both sides may hate the other, but one side — conservatives and Republicans — is more hostile and aggressive, increasingly willing to engage in anti-democratic and even violent attacks on their perceived enemies.

From FiveThirtyEight

Each sister made her way through a hostile medical terrain with crucial support from family members and both male and female supporters.

From Washington Post

He’s also one of the few scientists who can speak credibly to people of faith, who in some circles have come to regard science as hostile to their beliefs.

From Time

By contrast, a gun will allow a pilot to attack hostile forces that are less than 300 feet from friendly ground forces.

From The Daily Beast

They were alone and unarmed in hostile territory without even having the reassurance of radio communications.

From The Daily Beast

Both had been accused of acts hostile to the North Korean state.

From 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.

From The Daily Beast

For years, young voters in America have been unenthusiastic about, if not outright hostile toward, the GOP.

From The Daily Beast

He obeyed without remark, though with an unsteady voice, as he uttered communications he knew were so hostile to her expectation.

From Project Gutenberg

We met like hostile bulls, and wonder not that we should plunge at once upon each other's horns!

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Then affairs almost reached the point where the province was in hostile array, one side against another.

From Project Gutenberg

She knew that Alessandro had no knife, and had gone forward with no hostile intent; but she knew nothing beyond that.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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