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
Relevance
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
Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Jan. 2026
When a tip takes them further into the desert, the pair press on — even as the terrain turns forbiddingly hostile.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
And, unfortunately, the monitoring idea was born into a world hostile to its very premise.
—Robert S. Gable, IEEE Spectrum, 20 July 2017
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Adjective
Its previous bid briefly turned hostile last year after Cintas appealed directly to UniFirst shareholders after being rejected by the target company's board of directors.
—Noun
People on social media continue to question her decision to speak at an event associated with rhetoric hostile to LGBTQ+ people and immigrants — communities that have long been the bedrock of her fan base.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostile
Adjective
-
Researchers revealed that the high-voltage output facilitates the neutralization and collection of dust and moisture by generating negative ions.—
-
By the end of the year, the Gallup Economic Confidence Index, which measures views of the economy and its future, stood at a whopping negative 33, down nearly 20 points since spring.—
Adjective
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Just remember that Joe Biden’s administration had four years to open the files and disclose any possible news unfavorable to the Republicans.—
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While 48% of the respondents who had heard of Talarico viewed him positively and 18% viewed him negatively, 48% of respondents familiar with Crockett had an unfavorable impression compared with the 40% who viewed her positively.—
Noun
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When integrated into multiple systems, the Tactical Edge Electromagnetic Solutions (TEEMS) can jam enemy systems with speed and precision.—
-
Netanyahu said the country would continue trying to bring home the bodies of Israelis still being held across enemy lines, such as Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy hung in Damascus in 1965.—
Adjective
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Public systems can be somewhat risk adverse.—
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Nekrasov said adverse weather conditions also left parts of several other regions without power, including Chernihiv, Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia.—
Adjective
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Some harmful varieties closely resemble edible mushrooms, even to experienced foragers.—
-
On each phone, the lock screen image was a photo of a child who died young due to the harmful effects of social media.—
Noun
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Emmer has been a staunch opponent of Walz for some time, whose antagonism for the governor heightened once Walz became the vice presidential running mate to former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.—
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Garrett faced multiple opponents on 90 percent of his pass rushing snaps prior to Week 18, per PFF.—
Adjective
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Despite their antagonistic start, the pair can’t help falling for each other and are now happily married with two children.—
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To below-the-line workers, longer deals will offer the promise, in the AMPTP’s view, of greater job security in a less antagonistic labor environment.—
Noun
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In a season when so many things seemed to come full circle in New England, Vrabel and the Patriots will attempt to knock off a familiar postseason foe to shift the new era into another gear.—
-
Cuba joined Iran, Russia and other foes of Washington in condemning the raid at the United Nations.—
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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