1
as in negative
marked by opposition or ill will
the suggestions for change were given a hostile reception by some of the longtime employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfavorable
opposed to one's interests
the company's president vows to fight the hostile takeover by the giant corporation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
reports of hostiles in the area kept the settlers on edge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hostile
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2026
The employees accused him of harassment, retaliation and creating a hostile work environment.
—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
Matthew Stolle,
Twin Cities,
28 Jan. 2026
Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello told jurors that Bushey had a history of acting hostile toward family members and that his sister’s abrupt presence in the home set him off, leading him to act out and her to fear for her safety.
—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Adjective
The primary reference scenario uses August 2025 as the baseline, with a US government that’s openly hostile to the idea of clean energy.
—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2026
The employees accused him of harassment, retaliation and creating a hostile work environment.
—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
Noun
But no one has just been out-and-out hostile to him.
—
Matthew Stolle,
Twin Cities,
28 Jan. 2026
Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello told jurors that Bushey had a history of acting hostile toward family members and that his sister’s abrupt presence in the home set him off, leading him to act out and her to fear for her safety.
—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostile
Adjective
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The powder, sourced from California Dairies and supplied by a third party, tested negative for salmonella before the company used it in the chips.
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Apple, for instance, dropped 5% on April 8, its fourth-straight negative day.
Adjective
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That same study found 39% held an unfavorable view of socialism, versus 47% with an unfavorable view of capitalism.
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If the value of the stock declines, additional collateral may be required or positions may need to be liquidated under unfavorable conditions.
Noun
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His death in an enemy attack plays into a powerful Shi'ite tradition of martyrdom and mourning, in which processions of flagellants beat their chests or backs.
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The day for battle is near, many of our enemies are arming themselves.
Adjective
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These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.
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Valentine also testified that the FDA encourages infant formula companies to send in all adverse event reports and that nothing prevented Mead Johnson from doing so.
Adjective
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The plasma process also produced very little smoke or tar, reducing harmful secondary pollutants typically associated with biomass conversion and making the technology a cleaner way to produce renewable solid fuel.
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At the same time, its flowers attract beneficial predatory insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, that naturally hunt harmful garden pests.
Noun
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Ronaldo’s elbow looked far more intentional, and egregious, than Balogun’s play that happened in the context of a player battling for a ball against an opponent with his foot.
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Other opponents include Planned Parenthood, the California School Boards Assn.
Adjective
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Some use to it describe the most boisterous group of antagonistic influencers.
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Amid an increasingly complex and antagonistic immigration system, his story is one of rare success.
Noun
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Unrestricted free agents Marcus Smart, 32, and Luke Kennard, 30, agreed to deals with Western Conference foes.
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There is so much evil and suffering in the world, so much conniving and malicious intent, and the self is, at least, a familiar foe.
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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