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hostile

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adjective American English pronunciation: hostile /ˈhɑst(ə)l/
 
  1. 1
    behaving in a very unfriendly or threatening way toward someone

    The mayor found himself in the middle of a hostile crowd.

    hostile to/toward:

    She was openly hostile to him.

    a hostile reception/reaction/response:

    The appearance of more police provoked a hostile reaction from the protesters.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hostile
  2. 2
    opposing something

    Public reaction to the war was generally hostile.

    hostile to/toward:

    The local community was hostile to plans for a new highway.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hostile
  3. 3
    belonging to an enemy in a war

    The northern half of the island was controlled by hostile forces.

    Their plane was now flying over hostile territory.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hostile
  4. 4
    a hostile place or situation is difficult or dangerous to be in

    species that live in the most hostile environments on the planet

    a hostile economic climate

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hostile

This is the American English definition of hostile. View British English definition of hostile.

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