hostile

[hos-tl, -tahyl] / ˈhɒs tl, -taɪl /

ADJECTIVE

antagonistic, mean

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

alien anti catty chill cold militant opposite sour

WEAK

allergic argumentative bellicose competitive disapproving dour ill-disposed malevolent malicious malignant oppugnant ornery pugnacious rancorous scrappy spiteful surly unkind unpropitious unsociable unwelcoming viperous virulent vitriolic warlike

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable aiding favorable friendly good helpful helping hospitable kind nice pleasant wonderful

STRONG

hot sympathetic warm

WEAK

gentle welcoming

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.

To live openly as an LGBTQ+ person in a hostile culture is to choose authenticity over safety, and truth over social reward.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

England made no secrets about their Ashes gameplan: hit Australia with hostile pace and try to make them uncomfortable.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Nick Bilton, the new executive producer of “60 Minutes,” received a hostile welcome Monday from the CBS News program’s most respected correspondent, Scott Pelley, as the staff is still reeling over last week’s firings.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

However, the army of Kuwait, which hosts a U.S. air base, confirmed that its air defenses were “confronting hostile missile and drone attacks” in a post on X late Wednesday night.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

He wondered if it had mistaken him for some hostile animal, lurking down in the corn.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

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