1
Core quality
Unfriendly, antagonistic, or openly opposed; harmful or unfavourable to something.
Example
The proposal met a hostile response.
hostile
/ˈhɒstaɪl/ · HOS-tyleadjective
Unfriendly, antagonistic, or openly opposed; harmful or unfavourable to something.
Use hostile to express this relationship precisely: unfriendly, antagonistic, or openly opposed; harmful or unfavourable to something.
What hostile Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
The organism survives in a hostile environment.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
Criticism became hostile when personal attacks began.
Use hostile Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The proposal met a hostile response.
The organism survives in a hostile environment.
Criticism became hostile when personal attacks began.
Precision Matters
Hostile overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
hostile
vs.Means unfriendly, antagonistic, or openly opposed; harmful or unfavourable to something.
solicitous
Means showing attentive concern, care, or anxiety for another person's welfare or needs.
hostile
vs.Means unfriendly, antagonistic, or openly opposed; harmful or unfavourable to something.
benevolent
Means well-meaning, kindly, and inclined to help others.
hostile
vs.Means unfriendly, antagonistic, or openly opposed; harmful or unfavourable to something.
conciliate
Means reduce hostility, win goodwill, or restore friendly relations with an angry or opposing person or group.
hostile
vs.Means unfriendly, antagonistic, or openly opposed; harmful or unfavourable to something.
inimical
Means hostile, opposed, or tending to obstruct, damage, or prevent something.
Test hostile in Context
The behaviour is openly unfriendly and antagonistic.
1
The crowd grew ___, shouting threats and refusing to let the speaker continue.