Definitions

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 Women’s Leadership Summit was their safe space, a refuge from campuses or workplaces they described as hostile as ever to their conservative beliefs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Discovery-owned CNN, which he regards as a hostile platform.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Afghan officials have repeatedly denied the accusations from Islamabad, and counter that Pakistan harbours hostile groups and does not respect its sovereignty.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Relations between Iran and the US have been hostile for more than four decades.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

They stared at each other in a long, hostile silence.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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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