hostile

adjective

hos·tile | \ ˈhä-stᵊl

, -ˌstī(-ə)l

Definition of hostile

1a : of or relating to an enemy hostile fire

b : marked by malevolence : having or showing unfriendly feelings a hostile act

c : openly opposed or resisting a hostile critic hostile to new ideas

d(1) : not hospitable plants growing in a hostile environment

(2) : having an intimidating, antagonistic, or offensive nature a hostile workplace

2a : of or relating to the opposing party in a legal controversy a hostile witness

b : adverse to the interests of a property owner or corporation management a hostile takeover

Other Words from hostile Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hostile

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Examples of hostile in a Sentence

Dugoni, a lawyer who coauthored a nonfiction book about an Idaho worker brain-damaged in 1996 by cyanide fumes, opens his debut novel with a wrongful death attorney in San Francisco, David Sloane, about to make his closing remarks defending a corporation in a similar case. Sloane, who has won 14 cases in a row, hates his arrogant client and must face an obviously hostile jury. — Publishers Weekly, 9 Jan. 2006 Relations with neighboring societies may be intermittently or chronically hostile. A society may be able to hold off its enemies as long as it is strong, only to succumb when it becomes weakened for any reason, including environmental damage. — Jared M. Diamond, Collapse, 2005 I do not want a hostile relationship with my surgeon. But it's obvious he's pigeonholed me into the last of the four patient categories that doctors use when writing a case history: young, middle-aged, senior, elderly. — Sylvia Simmons, Newsweek, 10 June 2002 Even when one is inside a climate-controlled spacecraft, sheltered from the deadly vacuum outside, space is a hostile setting. Terrestrial organisms venturing off the planet face a number of threats, chief among them cosmic radiation and the near absence of gravity. — Kenneth S. Kosik, Air & Space, June/July 2001 Lotus Development Corp. succumbed to a sweetened offer of $3.52 billion, or $64 a share, from International Business Machines Corp. in one of the fastest capitulations ever in a hostile takeover. A marathon week of negotiations, which began shortly after IBM unveiled a surprise bid of $60 a share for Lotus last Monday, ended yesterday with the signing of a definitive agreement. — Laurie Hays et al., Wall Street Journal, 12 June 1995 While the stereotype of the tortured artist brooding alone in a drafty garret may be an exaggeration, artists of all kinds—painters, musicians, poets, singers—often find themselves struggling to cope in a … world downright hostile to their work. Financial hardships, loneliness, family members who nag them to get "real" jobs, and their own self-destructive attitudes and habits can block creativity and prevent artists from pursuing their vision. — New Age Journal, Winter 1995 They were entering hostile territory. Her suggestions were given a hostile reception. It was a small town that was hostile to outsiders. The camel is specially adapted to its hostile desert habitat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, have repeatedly blamed the Trump administration’s hostile approach to Iran on Bolton — as well as America’s Israeli and Gulf Arab allies in the Middle East. — Ishaan Tharoor, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: Trump axes Bolton, the hawk he brought to the White House," 11 Sep. 2019 Tensions spiked recently when Colombia and Venezuela accused each other of harboring hostile armed groups within their borders that are trying to overthrow the neighboring government. — Washington Post, "Venezuela starts military exercises along Colombia border," 11 Sep. 2019 Tensions spiked recently when Colombia and Venezuela accused each other of harboring hostile armed groups within their borders, intent on overthrowing the neighboring government. — Fox News, "Venezuela starts military exercises at Colombia border, US promises Bogota 'full support'," 11 Sep. 2019 Jamie Lee Curtis talking about Knives Out makes this whodunnit dark comedy from Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson sound like the perfect alternative to your hostile Thanksgiving family dinner this year. — Nick Romano, EW.com, "Jamie Lee Curtis pegs Knives Out as an alternative to your dysfunctional Thanksgiving dinner," 7 Sep. 2019 During this tournament, Medvedev’s sometimes-hostile interactions with the New York crowd have often overshadowed his on-court accomplishments. — Van Sias, The Atlantic, "Grigor Dimitrov Takes His Shot," 6 Sep. 2019 For the country’s biggest landowners and food producers, the Amazon and its indigenous people have always been an obstacle to economic development, hence their support of a president openly hostile towards indigenous groups. — Felipe Araujo, The New Republic, "The Best Way to Fight Fires in the Amazon," 5 Sep. 2019 In some ways cyberspace has rarely seemed more unstable, even hostile. — Scott Shackelford, The Conversation, "In a world of cyber threats, the push for cyber peace is growing," 3 Sep. 2019 Tinder’s and Bumble’s embrace of frat culture has invited critiques — especially of the ethics behind monetizing parties that have historically been hostile spaces for women. — Terry Nguyen, Vox, "Frats are throwing parties with Tinder and Bumble. This isn’t exactly new.," 20 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hostile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for hostile

hostile

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of hostile

: of or relating to an enemy

: not friendly : having or showing unfriendly feelings

: unpleasant or harsh

See the full definition for hostile in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hostile

adjective

hos·tile | \ ˈhä-stᵊl

Kids Definition of hostile

1 : belonging to or relating to an enemy They entered hostile territory.

2 : unfriendly

hostile

Definition of hostile

Other Words from hostile

Synonyms & Antonyms for hostile

Examples of hostile in a Sentence

First Known Use of hostile

History and Etymology for hostile

English Language Learners Definition of hostile

Kids Definition of hostile