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Definition of "hostile" []

  • Of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy: hostile forces; hostile acts. (adjective)
  • Feeling or showing enmity or ill will; antagonistic: a hostile remark. (adjective)
  • Unfavorable to health or well-being; inhospitable or adverse: a hostile climate. (adjective)
  • An antagonistic person or thing. (noun)
  • An enemy in warfare. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "hostile" in a sentence
  • ""As soon as we see them start moving towards the east, then they have what we call hostile intent, then we can target them," he said."
  • "SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea threatened Thursday to increase punishment for an American who was sentenced to hard labor for illegally entering the country, citing what it called a hostile U.S. policy toward it."
  • "Scott kept his expression hostile, but beneath all the cuts and bruises, he seemed to pale."