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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hostile
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
Trump expanded his popular-vote totals in both elections following 2016, despite running on an increasingly hostile and divisive platform.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
If this is an opening salvo from a hostile new administration, then the time is right for Connecticut residents who continue to believe in the sanctity of hospitality to come together, and to push back the night.
—Rev. Steven R. Jungkeit, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025
Warmbier, 22, a University of Virginia student, stole a propaganda banner from a hotel during a visit to Pyongyang in January 2016 and was later sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for committing a hostile act against the government.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hostile 
Adjective
Those may contain information about a person’s vulnerabilities that would be useful to the hostile foreign governments that hope to recruit NNSA employees to their cause.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
Trump expanded his popular-vote totals in both elections following 2016, despite running on an increasingly hostile and divisive platform.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
If this is an opening salvo from a hostile new administration, then the time is right for Connecticut residents who continue to believe in the sanctity of hospitality to come together, and to push back the night.
—Rev. Steven R. Jungkeit, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025
Warmbier, 22, a University of Virginia student, stole a propaganda banner from a hotel during a visit to Pyongyang in January 2016 and was later sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for committing a hostile act against the government.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hostile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostile
Adjective
-
Industry traffic was negative every month except November, and sales slid over the summer, which is typically a high point for restaurants.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2025
-
For some pets, especially those with past negative experiences, loud noises, sudden movements, or aggressive tones can be triggering.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
According to a Quinnipiac University poll, only 31 percent of Americans have a favorable view of the Democratic Party, and more than half of respondents have an unfavorable view of it.—
Elizabeth Currid-Halkett,
National Review,
16 Feb. 2025
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Despite unfavorable reviews and terrible audience scores, the 35th entry in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe arrived slightly above projections and ranks as the biggest opening weekend of the year.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Do Trump and Vance and their administration regard Ukraine as an ally and Putin’s Russia as an enemy?—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
18 Feb. 2025
-
At the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), dictator Francisco Franco declared victory and punished everyone who had opposed him: imprisonment or execution for those at the top of his enemies list and a purge in employment possibilities for others.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Some such adverse impacts include difficulty driving or with close-up activities like reading, writing, cooking, sewing or fixing things around the house.—
Daryl Austin,
USA TODAY,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Sitting for too long can lead to a host of adverse health effects, but taking short movement breaks throughout the day can offset these risks.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Health,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers may have found that the tartaric acid in grapes and raisins is the substance which is harmful to dogs.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
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Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.—
Kelly Tyko,
Axios,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The team initially was meant to legitimately compete against the Globetrotters but eventually became the ultimate crash test dummy for its opponents donning red, white and blue on the hardwood.—
Jason Jones,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
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Driving the news: Berger has successfully staved off challengers for more than two decades, but Page could prove to be a formidable primary opponent should the two face off next year.—
Lucille Sherman,
Axios,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The long-time TV veteran, who got her start on Days of Our Lives (1989–1990), maintained a recurring part as dominatrix Lady Heather on CSI (2001–2011) and later booked another meaty antagonistic role in Nikita (2010–2013).—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
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Eventually, the soldiers are accompanied by antagonistic settlers looking to impose their will through violence.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Thus the ending of the old monarch was properly marked by friends and foes alike.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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The senior battled in the post, fronting and denying his much taller foe both good position and the ball in the fourth quarter of a pivotal Oakland Athletic League game.—
Christian Babcock,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hostile
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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