The Meaning of Hostile: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever been confused by the definition of hostile? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word hostile, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word hostile mean?

According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word hostile is an adjective that means having extreme dislike and rude behavior toward someone or something. The noun form of hostile is hostility or the plural hostilities, meaning  ill will . Being hostile is usually the characteristic of an enemy or the disposition of an enemy. The word hostile is two syllables – hos-tile, and the pronunciation of hostile is. Many things can be hostile, like a hostile nation, hostile climate, hostile takeover bid, hostile criticism, hostile bid, hostile remark, hostile tender offer, or hostile fire.

Many other languages also contain words that mean hostile. You may notice that many of these words look and sound similar to the word hostile. These are called cognates, which are words and phrases that mean the same thing as well as look and sound similar between languages. These are often formed when two words have the same root word or language of origin like Latin or Greek. This list of translations for the word hostile is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Dutch: vijandig‎
  •  Japanese: 憎い‎ (nikui), 敵対的‎
  •  Quechua: awqa‎
  •  Catalan: hostil‎
  •  Bokmål: fiendtlig‎
  •  Esperanto: malamika‎
  •  Mandarin: 敵對‎, 敌对‎ (díduì), 懷有敵意‎, 怀有敌意‎
  •  Korean: 적대적인‎
  •  Latin: hostilis‎, alienus‎
  •  Portuguese: hostil‎
  •  Albanian: armiqësor‎
  •  German: feindlich‎
  •  Hungarian: ellenséges‎
  •  French: hostile‎
  •  Swedish: fientlig‎
  •  Greek: εχθρικός‎ (masc.)
  •  Finnish: vihamielinen‎
  •  Polish: wrogi‎ (masc.)
  •  Romanian: ostil‎ (masc.) (n)
  •  Czech: nepřátelský‎ (masc.)
  •  Spanish: hostil‎
  •  Nynorsk: fiendtleg‎
  •  Scottish Gaelic: nàimhdeach‎, nàimhdeil‎, eucairdeach‎
  •  Russian: вражде́бный‎, вра́жеский‎ (belonging to an enemy)

What is the origin of the word hostile?

According to Etymonline, the word hostile comes from the French hostile and Latin hostīlis/Latin hostilis. These come from the Latin hostis meaning a stranger. These come from ghos-ti in Proto-Indo-European roots.

How can the word hostile be used in a sentence?

There are many different ways a person can use the word hostile in a sentence. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definition and expand your vocabulary. You can also try making flashcards or quizzes to test your knowledge of the definitions of different English language words. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are a few examples of the word hostile to get you started.

The changing of control of a business was met with hostile reception from the public. They missed the friendly faces they were met with every time they entered the store and hated the unfriendly environment that was created with the new ownership.

Hostile factions formed in the mountaineering crew. At the high altitudes during the energetic pursuit of your ends, tensions ran high. No one was able to come to an agreement on different safety precautions and the whole trip was miserable.

The company was a hostile work environment. Remarks were always made by management of the target company that contributed to the uncongenial atmosphere, and people even ended up making a complaint to Title IX.

The own country’s forces were met with hostile actions and violent attacks from a platoon that was supposed to be their ally. During the trips of combat, the air forces were met on on uncongenial soil by the troops of the military officials of the enemy’s military forces.

What are synonyms and antonyms of hostile?

There are many different words and phrases that a person can use in place of the word hostile. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Synonyms are useful to know if you are trying not to repeat yourself in conversation or a written work, as well as if you are trying to expand your vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word hostile is provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  opposed
  •  adverse
  •  malevolence
  •  crash
  •  quarrelsome
  •  hateful
  •  opposing
  •  malevolent
  •  unsociable
  •  contentious
  •  disagreeable
  •  nasty
  •  virulent
  •  enemy
  •  venomous
  •  acrimonious
  •  cold
  •  spiteful
  •  unfriendly
  •  unkind
  •  harsh
  •  warlike
  •  rancorous
  •  militant
  •  hatred
  •  dislike
  •  contrary
  •  enmity
  •  uncongenial
  •   unpleasant
  •  repugnant
  •  antisocial
  •  evil
  •  opposite
  •  stony
  •  malignant
  •  unwelcoming
  •  caustic
  •  disadvantageous
  •  threatening
  •  hawkish
  •  confrontational
  •  dirty
  •  destructive
  •  disputatious
  •  competitive
  •  averse
  •  martial
  •  ugly
  •  warring
  •  sour
  •  negative
  •  cool
  •  vindictive
  •  surly
  •  cross
  •  opponent
  •  incompatible
  •  hard
  •  disinclined
  •  icy
  •  grim
  •  vitriolic
  •  jaundiced
  •  warmongering
  •  angry
  •  scrappy
  •  ill
  •  catty
  •  scathing
  •  baleful
  •  irreconcilable
  •  fierce
  •  menacing
  •  argumentative
  •  adversary
  •  cruel
  •  disapproving
  •  unfavourable
  •  conflicting
  •  vicious
  •  truculent
  •  forbidding
  •  mean
  •  inhospitable
  •  combative
  •  glacial
  •  aggressive
  •  inimical
  •  unfavorable
  •  antagonism
  •  unsympathetic
  •  bellicose
  •  poisonous
  •  offensive
  •  pugnacious
  •  bitter
  •  malicious
  •  aloof
  •  anti
  •  antipathetic
  •  malign
  •  chilly
  •  antagonistic
  •  frosty
  •  belligerent

There are also numerous different words that mean the opposite of the word hostile. These opposite words are called antonyms. Antonyms are another great tool to use to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word hostile is provided by Power Thesaurus as well. 

  •  benign
  •  affectionate
  •  conciliatory
  •  agreeable
  •  benevolent
  •  affable
  •  grateful
  •  delicious
  •  pleasing
  •  social
  •  genial
  •  welcoming
  •  pretty
  •  amiable
  •  hospitable
  •  lovely
  •  cool as a cucumber
  •   great
  •  splashy
  •  noble
  •  flamboyant
  •  good-natured
  •  gregarious
  •  beneficial
  •  divine
  •  tasteful
  •  heavenly
  •  delicate
  •  showy
  •  nonaggressive
  •  innocent
  •  esthetic
  •  marvelous
  •  sweet
  •  reconcilable
  •  glossy
  •  splendid
  •  positive
  •  exceptional
  •  flawless
  •  perfect
  •  goodly
  •  dainty
  •  stylish
  •  marvellous
  •  exquisite
  •  tolerant
  •  allied
  •  excellent
  •  smitten
  •  empathetic
  •  lovesome
  •  immaculate
  •  decorative
  •  magnificent
  •  understanding
  •  on the same page
  •  highly palatable
  •  eellogofusciouhipoppokunurious
  •  supreme
  •  stingless
  •  flashy
  •  slick
  •  splendorous
  •  favourable
  •  pacifist
  •  helpful
  •  glorious
  •  propitious
  •  convivial
  •  kind
  •  delightful
  •  congenial
  •  admirable
  •  peaceful
  •  fond
  •  buddy
  •  ally
  •  warmhearted
  •  sociable
  •  beautiful
  •  apologist
  •  warm
  •  nice
  •  amicable
  •  friendly
  •  friendly accord
  •  unaggressive
  •  companionable
  •  well-disposed
  •  harmonious
  •  aesthetic
  •  advantageous
  •  pleasant
  •  kindly
  •  sympathetic
  •  desirous
  •  cordial
  •  favorable
  •  neighborly
  •  good

Overall, the word hostile means

Sources:

  1. Hostile definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary 
  2. Hostile synonyms – 1 941 Words and Phrases for Hostile | Power Thesaurus 
  3. hostile: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  4. hostile | Origin and meaning of hostile | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  5. Hostile antonyms – 695 Opposites of Hostile | Power Thesaurus