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hostile

hos·tile
H h

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [hos-tl or, esp. British, -tahyl]
    • /ˈhɒs tl or, esp. British, -taɪl/
    • /ˈhɒs.taɪl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [hos-tl or, esp. British, -tahyl]
    • /ˈhɒs tl or, esp. British, -taɪl/

Definitions of hostile word

  • adjective hostile of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy: a hostile nation. 1
  • adjective hostile opposed in feeling, action, or character; antagonistic: hostile criticism. 1
  • adjective hostile characterized by antagonism. 1
  • adjective hostile not friendly, warm, or generous; not hospitable. 1
  • noun hostile a person or thing that is antagonistic or unfriendly. 1
  • noun hostile Military. an enemy soldier, plane, ship, etc. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of hostile

First appearance:

before 1585
One of the 35% oldest English words
1585-95; < Latin hostīlis, equivalent to hostis enemy (see host2) + -īlis -ile

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Hostile

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

hostile popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

hostile usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for hostile

adj hostile

  • inimical — adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful: a climate inimical to health.
  • contentious — A contentious issue causes a lot of disagreement or arguments.
  • belligerent — A belligerent person is hostile and aggressive.
  • unsympathetic — characterized by, proceeding from, exhibiting, or feeling sympathy; sympathizing; compassionate: a sympathetic listener.
  • adverse — Adverse decisions, conditions, or effects are unfavourable to you.

adjective hostile

  • antagonistic — If a person is antagonistic to someone or something, they show hatred or dislike towards them.
  • aggressive — An aggressive person or animal has a quality of anger and determination that makes them ready to attack other people.
  • intimidating — to make timid; fill with fear.
  • unreceptive — having the quality of receiving, taking in, or admitting.
  • mean — to intend for a particular purpose, destination, etc.: They were meant for each other. Synonyms: destine, foreordain.

adverb hostile

  • up in arms — Usually, arms. weapons, especially firearms.
  • at odds — If someone is at odds with someone else, or if two people are at odds, they are disagreeing or quarrelling with each other.
  • at war — in a state of active armed conflict

Antonyms for hostile

adj hostile

  • friendly — characteristic of or befitting a friend; showing friendship: a friendly greeting.
  • hospitable — receiving or treating guests or strangers warmly and generously: a hospitable family.
  • kind — of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person: a kind and loving person.
  • helpful — giving or rendering aid or assistance; of service: Your comments were very helpful.
  • pleasant — pleasing, agreeable, or enjoyable; giving pleasure: pleasant news.

adjective hostile

  • favourable — Pleasing, encouraging or approving.

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See also

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