hostile
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy.
a hostile nation.
- Synonyms:
- aggressive, warlike
- Antonyms:
- friendly
-
opposed in feeling, action, or character; antagonistic.
hostile criticism.
- Antonyms:
- friendly
-
characterized by antagonism.
- Antonyms:
- sympathetic
-
not friendly, warm, or generous; not hospitable.
noun
-
a person or thing that is antagonistic or unfriendly.
-
Military. an enemy soldier, plane, ship, etc.
adjective
-
antagonistic; opposed
-
of or relating to an enemy
-
unfriendly
noun
Related Words
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 Word Forms
- hostilely adverb
- interhostile adjective
- nonhostile adjective
- nonhostilely adverb
- overhostile adjective
- overhostilely adverb
- prehostile adjective
- semihostile adjective
- semihostilely adverb
- unhostile adjective
- unhostilely adverb
Etymology
Origin of hostile
First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin hostīlis, equivalent to hostis “enemy” ( host 2 ) + -īlis -ile
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Newsom is more of a policy wonk, a greater risk-taker and is more willing to venture into challenging and even hostile settings.
From Los Angeles Times
Though that was rebuffed by Warner's board, Paramount on Tuesday said it was still encouraging shareholders to back its offer, in what amounts to a hostile takeover attempt.
From Barron's
His peacenik bonafides never seemed very believable considering his violent, hostile temperament, but they did become part of his brand.
From Salon
Warner reopened talks last week with Paramount, giving the company a seven-day window to negotiate and telling the hostile suitor to make its “best and final” offer.
The woman then became hostile and resisted officers’ attempts to detain her as they escorted her back through the security checkpoint.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
