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Hostile Very Common

Hostile has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Adjective

Definitions
Noun
1

troops belonging to the enemy's military forces

"the platoon ran into a pack of hostiles"

2

An enemy.

"The hostile army marched toward our border without warning."

Adjective
1

characterized by enmity or ill will

"a hostile nation"

"a hostile remark"

"hostile actions"

2

not belonging to your own country's forces or those of an ally

"hostile naval and air forces"

3

impossible to bring into friendly accord

"hostile factions"

4

very unfavorable to life or growth

"a hostile climate"

"an uncongenial atmosphere"

"an uncongenial soil"

"the unfriendly environment at high altitudes"

5

unsolicited and resisted by the management of the target company (used of attempts to buy or take control of a business)

"hostile takeover"

"hostile tender offer"

"hostile bid"

6

Not friendly; appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence or a desire to thwart and injure.

"The general's hostile glare made it clear he intended to destroy anyone who opposed his plan."

In plain English: Hostile means being unfriendly, aggressive, and ready to fight against someone else.

"The crowd gave the speaker hostile shouts when he arrived at the rally."

Usage: Use hostile to describe someone who is openly unfriendly, aggressive, or actively working against you rather than merely being cold or distant. This word often applies specifically to environments like war zones or situations where there is an explicit intent to harm or obstruct others.

Example Sentences
"The crowd gave the speaker hostile shouts when he arrived at the rally." adj
"The crowd gave us hostile looks when we tried to enter the concert venue." adj
"It was raining heavily outside, creating a hostile environment for our picnic plans." adj
"My coworker seemed hostile during the meeting and refused to answer any of my questions." adj
Related Terms
Antonyms
friendly amicable
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
military personnel

Origin

The word hostile comes from the Latin hostis, meaning "enemy," and entered English via Middle French around 1300. It replaced an earlier Old English term that carried a similar sense of enmity.

Rhyming Words
ile lile wile tile nile vile sile hile rile bile kile file pile mile bfile avile edile chile baile prile
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