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.

"Many of them have been here for decades, paying taxes for decades," she added, condemning "a fearful and hostile environment across the country, and not only for the World Cup but every single day".

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Some see emails like this and conclude their boss could be hostile to them, leaving them fearful of losing promotion opportunities or worse.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

Network Rail has called the Victorian tunnel one of the most hostile environments on the UK rail network, where moisture, dripping saltwater and diesel soot accelerate wear on equipment.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

But why is he so hostile, and where has Lindsay seen him before?

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

The Court's rulings had become increasingly hostile to death row prisoners and less committed to the notion that "death is different," requiring more careful review.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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