hostile

[ hos-tl, -tahyl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy:

   a hostile nation.

   Synonyms: aggressive, warlike

   Antonyms: friendly

2. opposed in feeling, action, or character; antagonistic:

   hostile criticism.

   Synonyms: contrary, averse, adverse

   Antonyms: friendly

3. characterized by antagonism.

   Antonyms: sympathetic

4. not friendly, warm, or generous; not hospitable.

noun

1. a person or thing that is antagonistic or unfriendly.
2. Military. an enemy soldier, plane, ship, etc.

hostile

/ ˈhɒstaɪl /

adjective

1. antagonistic; opposed
2. of or relating to an enemy
3. unfriendly

noun

1. a hostile person; enemy

Derived Forms

• ˈhostilely, adverb

Other Words From

• hos·tile·ly adverb
• in·ter·hos·tile adjective
• non·hos·tile adjective
• non·hos·tile·ly adverb
• o·ver·hos·tile adjective
• o·ver·hos·tile·ly adverb
• pre·hos·tile adjective
• sem·i·hos·tile adjective
• sem·i·hos·tile·ly adverb
• un·hos·tile adjective
• un·hos·tile·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostile¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin hostīlis, equivalent to hostis “enemy” ( host ² ) + -īlis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostile¹

C16: from Latin hostīlis, from hostis enemy

Synonym Study

Hostile, inimical indicate that which characterizes an enemy or something injurious to one's interests. Hostile applies to the spirit, attitude, or action of an enemy: They showed a hostile and menacing attitude. Inimical applies to an antagonistic or injurious tendency or influence: Their remarks were inimical to his reputation.

Example Sentences

She is intensely dramatic and also strangely hostile to the people who love her the most — her parents.

From Los Angeles Times

But of course, he's already appointing a cabinet of the cognitively impaired, people who simply do not understand the problem or else are hostile to objective information.

From Salon

"You can only imagine when you have certain individuals who are much more hostile towards these types of government action, it will get worse."

From Salon

The role of racism, white supremacy and hostile sexism in Harris’ defeat must not be minimized.

From Salon

The spokesman added that since the first sightings on 20 November there had been "no impact to residents or infrastructure and they have not been identified as hostile".

From BBC

Related Words

• adverse
• belligerent
• bitter
• contentious
• contrary
• hateful
• inhospitable
• inimical
• nasty
• opposed
• unfavorable
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic