Hostile – Meaning, Definition, Synonyms and Antonyms
Hostile is used as an adjective in English. It describes people, places, or situations that show anger, opposition, or a willingness to cause harm.
Meaning:
Hostile means showing hostility: anger, aggression, or strong opposition toward someone or something. Depending on the context, it can also describe environments or conditions that feel threatening.
Definition:
Hostile can be used to describe:
- a person who acts in an angry or confrontational way
- a place or environment that feels dangerous or unfriendly
- a situation or relationship that involves conflict, resistance, or lack of cooperation
In most everyday contexts, calling something hostile suggests it is more than just “unpleasant”—it implies an active or threatening negative stance (for example, an unfriendly crowd, a hostile workplace tone, or hostile comments in a conversation).
The word comes into English from Latin roots related to “enemy” (the sense of being opposed). Its use developed in English around the period when “enemy” language became common in formal writing (late Middle English to early modern usage).
Example Sentences:
- A hostile work environment can lower morale and increase stress.
- During the meeting, she gave him a hostile look, then refused to respond to his questions.
- The hostile crowd caused chaos at the event and blocked access to the stage.
- After months of hostile negotiations, both sides agreed to restart talks with a mediator.
- The team faced a hostile habitat with strong winds and limited shelter during the expedition.
Hostile Synonyms:
- Aggressive
- Antagonistic
- Unfriendly
- Adversarial
- Belligerent
- Hostility
- Enmity
- Hatred
- Harmful
- Threatening
Hostile Antonyms:
- Friendly
- Peaceful
- Amiable
- Cooperative
- Neutral
- Courteous
- Receptive
- Hospitable
- Supportive
- Welcoming
If you’re working with negative emotions and conflict-related vocabulary, you may also find the meaning of hostility helpful, since it connects directly to how hostile behavior feels and sounds in real conversations.
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