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.

ICE agents, who often work in urban settings, had little prior experience handling hostile crowds.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

A hostile Iran will remain a constant tail-risk for the region even if the war ends, said Hamzeh Al Gaaod, an economist who focuses on the region.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Prior to that legislation, only a narrow set of federal agencies — Homeland Security, Justice, Defense — could legally interfere with a hostile drone.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

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

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Kainene looked Chief Okonji right in the eyes, with that stare that was so expressionless, so blank, that it was almost hostile.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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