hostile Definition
- 1showing or feeling opposition or dislike; unfriendly
- 2belonging to or characteristic of an enemy
Using hostile: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hostile" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The protesters were met with hostile police officers.
Example
The two countries have a long history of hostile relations.
Example
Her tone was hostile towards me from the beginning.
Example
The company faced a hostile takeover attempt.
hostile Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for hostile
Idioms Using hostile
Example
The soldiers were sent into hostile territory to gather intelligence.
a witness who is antagonistic or uncooperative towards the party calling them to testify
Example
The defense attorney had a difficult time questioning the hostile witness.
Example
The new employee received a hostile reception from his colleagues.
Phrases with hostile
a workplace or setting in which harassment, discrimination, or other negative behaviors are pervasive and make it difficult for someone to work or function effectively
Example
The company was sued for maintaining a hostile work environment.
an acquisition of a company by another company against the wishes of the target company's management
Example
The board of directors fought off a hostile takeover attempt by a rival company.
Example
The troops came under hostile fire as they advanced towards the enemy position.
Origins of hostile
from Latin 'hostilis', meaning 'of an enemy'
Summary: hostile in Brief
The term 'hostile' [ˈhɑːstaɪl] refers to opposition or dislike, often with unfriendly or antagonistic behavior. It can describe relations between countries, as in 'The two countries have a long history of hostile relations,' or individuals, as in 'Her tone was hostile towards me from the beginning.' 'Hostile' extends into phrases like 'hostile environment,' and idioms like 'hostile territory,' denoting areas controlled by enemy forces.
