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.

Discovery on Thursday said shareholders approved its sale to Paramount Skydance, giving a green light to a hostile takeover bid valuing the combined company at $110 billion.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

On Tuesday a civil jury concluded that Lodes resigned involuntarily due to his reporting of a hostile workplace and was awarded the multimillion-dollar payment as compensation for his emotional damages.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

In 2025, Canada canceled its popular annual showcase, after deciding that hostile policies made the risks not worth the rewards.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Attorney Jeanine Pirro, told the Journal this week that it was working to go after sanctioned and hostile networks supporting the Iranian regime.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Surrounded on all sides by the Red Army and by units of the KGB, West Berlin floated like an island in a hostile, turbulent sea.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

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