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.

It would not make this troubled relationship any more easy, any less hostile.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

But on Tuesday, a senior North Korean foreign ministry official described the South as "the enemy state most hostile" to North Korea, reiterating a label used by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un previously.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

For all the Dodgers fans here, that’s quite the trip: a rout that silenced a hostile crowd one day, hot dogs valued at 55 cents in U.S. currency the next.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Paramount launched a hostile bid for Warner, which had opted to sign a deal to sell to Netflix instead.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

They did not seem openly hostile toward me, like some of the kids at my last school, although I could see certain girls sizing me up, judging me.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

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