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.

The task isn’t to help defenders run faster inside a failing paradigm, but to change the conditions of engagement so hostile activity encounters immediate resistance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

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

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

But he plans to try to reopen dialogue with neighbouring Niger where the sovereignist military junta has been openly hostile to Benin.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 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

This feels hostile, sounds like he’s upset about so much more than just these flyers.

From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson

Vocabulary lists containing hostile

The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 1

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Some Tricky Homonyms

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham

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