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.

But why is he so hostile, and where has Lindsay seen him before?

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Afghan officials deny the charge and counter that Pakistan harbours hostile groups and does not respect its sovereignty.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Calocane was described at this review as "guarded, curt, fixed staring and having a hostile edge to him".

From BBC • May 7, 2026

“The stalwarts of linear TV are really threatened by this new model, which is hostile to their very structure.”

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

When danger suddenly approached, he needed only to protect himself from a few of his subjects, but if he had had the common people hostile, this would not have been sufficient.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

Vocabulary lists containing hostile

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