Hostile: meaning, definitions and examples

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hostile

[ˈhɒstaɪl ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or showing unfriendliness or antagonism

Characterized by enmity or ill will; unfriendly; antagonistic. Hostile nations. Not hospitable; not friendly or generous by nature; unsympathetic. A hostile critic. Belonging or appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence, or a desire to thwart and injure; occupied by an enemy or enemies; inimical; unfriendly. A hostile force. Unfavorable to health; not salubrious; as, a hostile climate. Opposed; contrary; as, a hostile address.

Synonyms

adversarial, aggressive, antagonistic, combative, unfriendly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hostile	Use when describing a situation or person that is openly unfriendly and likely to cause conflict. The crowd became hostile when the speaker mentioned the controversial topic Her hostile attitude made it difficult to have a conversation
antagonistic	Suitable for describing a person or situation that is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something. He felt an antagonistic vibe from his new colleague The two characters had an antagonistic relationship throughout the story
unfriendly	Use for describing someone or something that lacks friendliness or warmth, but not necessarily aggressive. The receptionist was unfriendly and didn't even greet us The town seemed unfriendly to outsiders
adversarial	Best used in contexts involving a competitive or oppositional relationship, often in formal or professional settings. The relationship between the two companies was adversarial, with each trying to outdo the other The debate took on an adversarial tone as the candidates began to challenge each other's policies
aggressive	Used to describe behavior or attitudes that are forceful, and often intended to dominate or confront. His aggressive marketing tactics eventually turned customers away The dog was very aggressive and barked at everyone who approached
combative	Often describes a person who is eager to fight or argue, and is ready for conflict. Her combative nature made her a tough negotiator The discussion became combative when politics were brought up

Examples of usage

His hostile attitude made it difficult to have a productive conversation.
The two countries have a long history of hostile relations.
She gave me a hostile look as I entered the room.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word comes from the Latin 'hostilis', which means 'of an enemy'.
In ancient Rome, being hostile often referred to acts of war or aggression against other tribes.
Historically, the term has been used to describe relationships between nations or groups in conflict.

Psychology

Hostility can be a response to fear or a need to protect oneself from perceived threats.
Research shows that hostility can impact health, increasing risks of stress-related illnesses.
People who are consistently hostile may have underlying issues such as past traumas or low self-esteem.

Pop Culture

The term is often used in movies to describe villains or antagonists who are aggressive towards heroes.
In music, several songs address themes of hostility in relationships, highlighting emotional struggles.
Video games frequently portray 'hostile' characters as adversaries that players must overcome.

Literature

In literature, characters who are hostile often provide conflict, driving the plot forward.
Many classic novels explore themes of hostility in society, such as in '1984' by George Orwell.
Dramatic works often depict hostile interactions to showcase tension between characters.

Sociology

Studies show that hostile environments can lead to higher levels of stress and anxiety in communities.
Cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings that are perceived as hostility in cross-cultural interactions.
Hostility can impact group dynamics, leading to a breakdown of communication and collaboration.

Translations

Translations of the word "hostile" in other languages:

🇵🇹 hostil

🇮🇳 शत्रुतापूर्ण

🇩🇪 feindlich

🇮🇩 bermusuhan

🇺🇦 ворожий

🇵🇱 wrogi

🇯🇵 敵対的

🇫🇷 hostile

🇪🇸 hostil

🇹🇷 düşmanca

🇰🇷 적대적인

🇸🇦 معاد

🇨🇿 nepřátelský

🇸🇰 nepriateľský

🇨🇳 敌对的

🇸🇮 sovražen

🇮🇸 fjandsamlegur

🇰🇿 қастық

🇬🇪 მტრული

🇦🇿 düşməncəsinə

🇲🇽 hostil

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,540, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4537 renewal
4538 sport
4539 eighteenth
4540 hostile
4541 credits
4542 mystery
4543 minimal
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