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 Committee is deeply concerned” that Berkeley Unified is “failing to uphold its obligations” to “end any harassment, eliminate any hostile environment and its effects and prevent any harassment from recurring.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By presenting malicious tasks as routine security work, they manipulated Claude into executing attack components without recognizing the broader hostile context.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And while Saudi Arabia and other major oil producers were predictably hostile to curbing fossil fuels, China stayed quiet and concentrated on doing deals.

Read more on BBC

Jane Doe 5 also seeks legal action against Frances Robinson, whom she accuses of perpetuating “a hostile work environment.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In this case, it’s a subplot about despondent self-deporting animals who resolve to flee Oz because their home has become hostile to their kind: “We can’t stay here. It’s become rotten,” says a bear.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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