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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
-
Despite all the negative attention the movie received, Johnson did not appear concerned with the long-term impact of Madame Web while speaking with the L.A. Times.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
4 June 2025
-
There also exist aspects of their past which would become political fodder in the hands of any opponent’s negative campaign.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
But at a time when student-athletes’ rights prevail and provide the freedom to change schools and cash in, coaches aim to regain control and curtail roster movement — even at the expense of a player in an unfavorable situation.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
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The reality is that an underdeveloped supply chain and unfavorable economics are far larger factors.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 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
-
Some of these harmful ideologies might be downstream of these larger root causes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
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China has gone even further, requiring digital watermarks on synthetic media and directing platforms to swiftly remove harmful content — part of its broader strategy of centralized content control.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
His main opponent, former radio host Bill Spadea, has painted himself as a Trump loyalist.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
-
Right as the sparring gets good, with Drew accusing her opponent of deflecting because of a toxic divorce, Porsha walks away from yet another conversation.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
In Nine Perfect Strangers, tension emerges from the slightly antagonistic forces that both revere and challenge Masha’s notions.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
21 May 2025
-
For example, the antagonistic alien brute Captain Gantu is left out.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 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 9 Jun. 2025.
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