Link Centre Dictionary

hostile

hos·tile

UK/ˈhɒstaɪl/ US/ˈhɒstəl/ fairly common

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”
Antonyms
3.

very unfriendly

  • “a hostile attitude”
Similar
4.

impossible to bring into friendly accord

  • “hostile factions”
5.

very unfavorable to life or growth

  • “a hostile climate”
  • “an uncongenial atmosphere”
  • “an uncongenial soil”
  • “the unfriendly environment at high altitudes”
6.

marked by features that oppose constructive treatment or development

  • “not able to accomplish much in such a hostile environment”
7.

used of attempts to buy or take control of a business

  • “hostile takeover”
  • “hostile tender offer”
Similar

Origin

Borrowed from Middle French hostile, from Latin hostīlis, from hostis (“enemy”). Displaced Old English fēondlīċ.

Phrases

  • go hostile
  • hostile architecture
  • hostile environment
  • hostile possession
  • hostile vehicle
  • hostile witness

Related words

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.