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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  hostileThesaurus 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  hostileThesaurus 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  hostileThesaurus 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  hostileThesaurus entry for this meaning of hostile

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

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