1
as in negative
marked by opposition or ill will
the suggestions for change were given a hostile reception by some of the longtime employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfavorable
opposed to one's interests
the company's president vows to fight the hostile takeover by the giant corporation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
reports of hostiles in the area kept the settlers on edge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hostile
Harry Bernheim, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
Their voice has been amplified in part because of Mr. Trump’s calls to annex Canada and by the re-election of a Liberal federal government, which many in traditionally conservative Alberta view as hostile to their concerns.
—Amber Bracken, New York Times, 22 May 2025
That a candidate openly hostile to democratic norms came within striking distance of the presidency reveals the extent of public alienation and institutional distrust.
—Veronica Anghel, Foreign Affairs, 21 May 2025
And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.
—Obed Manuel, NPR, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Adjective
When your immune system detects harmful microbes, your body raises its internal temperature to create a hostile environment.
—Harry Bernheim, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
Their voice has been amplified in part because of Mr. Trump’s calls to annex Canada and by the re-election of a Liberal federal government, which many in traditionally conservative Alberta view as hostile to their concerns.
—Amber Bracken, New York Times, 22 May 2025
That a candidate openly hostile to democratic norms came within striking distance of the presidency reveals the extent of public alienation and institutional distrust.
—Veronica Anghel, Foreign Affairs, 21 May 2025
And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.
—Obed Manuel, NPR, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostile
Adjective
-
The only negative in a sublime opening period for Florida was Sam Reinhart leaving with an apparent knee injury after enduring a questionable hip-check hit from Sebastian Aho that the league should take a look at.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
-
About 92% of those with positive blood test results had confirmed amyloid plaques, while negative results were confirmed in 97% of participants.—
Jennifer Klump,
Verywell Health,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Comparable sales for the quarter decreased 1.7% blamed on unfavorable weather earlier in the year, while pro and online sales grew.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
21 May 2025
-
Her biggest unfavorable numbers from those surveyed came from voters in parts of Northern California, at 60%, and Orange County, with 57%.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
The absence of cloud cover that day exposed the Liberators even more to enemy fire.—
Linda Dudik,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 May 2025
-
The team cites the cosmic horror vibes of movies like Prometheus and the encroaching threat of intimidating enemies such as the Zerg from StarCraft as key inspirations for the game world.—
David Jagneaux,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Those impacted by this recall or others can report a complaint or adverse event by visiting Industry and Consumer Assistance.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
-
In 2023, for example, a federal judge ruled that mifepristone should be taken off the market by citing low-quality studies that reported adverse effects from mifepristone.—
Keren Landman,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Located in the stratosphere, the ozone layer acts like sunscreen, blocking potentially harmful ultraviolet energy from reaching our planet's surface.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
Even apps like YouTube Kids can expose kids to harmful content.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
This creates space for team-mates: opponents are drawn away from Yamal on the left, while Lewandowski is able to work in the little pockets of space that appear around the edge of the penalty box.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
Their opponent will be either Laval or Rochester, who are battling for the Northern Division championship.—
Steve Lyttle,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
The end of season 2, which saw Lee Jung-jae’s Gi-hun try to stage a rebellion against the macabre games and the antagonistic Front Man, ended in a cliffhanger tragedy, so tension is already high going in for this final round.—
Lucy Ford,
Time,
19 May 2025
-
That begins our relationship which is initially antagonistic.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Marvel films are littered with figures we’re supposed to identify with who triumph over their foes by showily revealing their true selves.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
-
The Twins beat the Royals 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Target Field, using a Lee single to capture their second win in as many days over their division foes.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share