hostile

[ hos-tl, -tahyl ]
See synonyms for: hostilehostilely on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy: a hostile nation.

  2. opposed in feeling, action, or character; antagonistic: hostile criticism.

  1. characterized by antagonism.

  2. not friendly, warm, or generous; not hospitable.

noun
  1. a person or thing that is antagonistic or unfriendly.

  2. Military. an enemy soldier, plane, ship, etc.

Origin of hostile

1
First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin hostīlis, equivalent to hostis “enemy” (see host2) + -īlis -ile

synonym study For hostile

2. Hostile, inimical indicate that which characterizes an enemy or something injurious to one's interests. Hostile applies to the spirit, attitude, or action of an enemy: They showed a hostile and menacing attitude. Inimical applies to an antagonistic or injurious tendency or influence: Their remarks were inimical to his reputation.

Other words for hostile

Opposites for hostile

Other words from hostile

  • hos·tile·ly, adverb
  • in·ter·hos·tile, adjective
  • non·hos·tile, adjective
  • non·hos·tile·ly, adverb
  • o·ver·hos·tile, adjective
  • o·ver·hos·tile·ly, adverb
  • pre·hos·tile, adjective
  • sem·i·hos·tile, adjective
  • sem·i·hos·tile·ly, adverb
  • un·hos·tile, adjective
  • un·hos·tile·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with hostile

Words Nearby hostile

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hostile in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hostile

hostile

/ (ˈhɒstaɪl) /


adjective
  1. antagonistic; opposed

  2. of or relating to an enemy

  1. unfriendly

noun
  1. a hostile person; enemy

Origin of hostile

1
C16: from Latin hostīlis, from hostis enemy

Derived forms of hostile

  • hostilely, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012