a hostile atmosphere

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hostile atmosphere" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an environment or situation that is unfriendly, aggressive, or antagonistic. Example: "The negotiations were tense, and the team felt the pressure of a hostile atmosphere in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"It was a hostile atmosphere.

Independent

Banning gays from serving openly only creates a hostile atmosphere.

The New York Times

Below the upper clouds, Venus has a hostile atmosphere containing clouds of sulfuric acid droplets.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But in this case a hostile atmosphere is something that Donald Trump doesn't seem to mind.

The New Yorker

NBC is helping to promote a hostile atmosphere for women and girls in this society.

The New York Times - Sports

McCoist felt there was a hostile atmosphere in Lanarkshire and during their 4-0 win at Dunfermline on Monday.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Then, even the reddest of states will be tinged with a little purple, and a Democrat could actually govern in a less hostile atmosphere.

The New York Times

"We are concerned that the addition of this entirely avoidable aggravation of a confined space will create a possibly hostile atmosphere on commercial flights," Senators Diane Feinstein and Lamar Alexander wrote to Transportation Secretary Anthony Fox.

TechCrunch

"We are very excited about their willingness to engage in dialogue, take actions and become an active participant in creating a less hostile atmosphere at Madison Square Garden".

The New York Times

Instead, the Abe and Moon administrations must swiftly show robust political leadership to create a less hostile atmosphere where civil society can drive an improvement in relations.

The Washington Post

I think there is animosity and it will be a really hostile atmosphere.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event or location, use "a hostile atmosphere" to emphasize feelings of unease, threat, or opposition, highlighting the emotional or psychological impact on individuals within that setting.

Common error

Avoid using "a hostile atmosphere" to describe minor disagreements or simple discomfort. Reserve it for situations where there's a clear sense of antagonism, intimidation, or threat.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase functioning as a pre-modifier to the noun "atmosphere". The phrase describes the nature or quality of the atmosphere. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes the condition in an environment to be unfriendly, aggressive, or antagonistic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hostile atmosphere" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe environments marked by antagonism or unease. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability. As demonstrated by a large quantity of examples, this phrase is "Very Common" in News & Media, and less common in Academia, Science, or Formal & Business contexts. When using "a hostile atmosphere", ensure it accurately reflects a setting characterized by clear antagonism or threat, differentiating it from situations of mere tension or discomfort. Remember that, though similar to "a hostile environment", the former emphasises psychological climate, whereas the latter is often a legal term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unfriendly environment

Focuses on the lack of friendliness rather than direct hostility.

a tense environment

Emphasizes the presence of tension and anxiety.

a confrontational setting

Highlights the presence of active opposition and conflict.

an aggressive environment

Focuses on the potential for outward aggression.

a negative environment

A more general term for an unpleasant or unfavorable setting.

an intimidating environment

Stresses the feeling of being threatened or frightened.

a toxic environment

Implies a destructive and harmful atmosphere.

an unwelcoming environment

Highlights the lack of hospitality or acceptance.

an unpleasant situation

Shifts the focus from the environment to the overall experience.

a difficult situation

Focuses on the challenging nature of the circumstances.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a hostile atmosphere" in a sentence?

Use "a hostile atmosphere" to describe settings or situations filled with antagonism, intimidation, or unease. For example, "The courtroom was filled with "a hostile atmosphere" during the trial."

What's a less intense way to describe a situation similar to "a hostile atmosphere"?

Consider using alternatives like "an unfriendly environment" or "a tense situation" /s/a+tense+situation if the level of negativity doesn't quite reach the intensity of hostility.

Is there a difference between "a hostile atmosphere" and "a hostile environment"?

While similar, "a hostile atmosphere" emphasizes the emotional or psychological climate, while "a hostile environment" often refers to a legally defined term, particularly in workplace harassment cases.

How does the intensity of "a hostile atmosphere" compare to "a tense atmosphere"?

"A tense atmosphere" suggests anxiety and unease, while "a hostile atmosphere" implies active antagonism and potential conflict. "A hostile atmosphere" is generally more severe.