be hostile to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be hostile to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a negative or antagonistic attitude towards someone or something. Example: "The new policy seems to be hostile to small businesses." Alternative expressions include "be antagonistic towards" and "be unfriendly to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the city can be hostile to enterprise.

The Economist

Angela Merkel, too, must pay attention to domestic opinion, which would be hostile to any concessions.

The Economist

I am not wishing that the next president be hostile to Israel, God forbid.

The New York Times

They assume that the public is going to be hostile to anything the least bit disturbing.

The New York Times

But Dr. Weissman said he believed such opponents would be hostile to research with either cell.

The New York Times

Achaam is a stronghold of Maoist insurgents likely to be hostile to external organisations.

The Guardian

Russia might be hostile to the eastern partnership, but that's their problem.

The Guardian

New Yorkers should not be hostile to and threatened by protest marches.

The New York Times

But it was less clear that Mr Putin would be hostile to the eastward expansion of the EU too.

The Economist

Liberal Democrat ministers believe many of their party members might be hostile to a big push on GM foods.

Independent

The new regime brought a revolutionary Islamic government to power, and they proved to be hostile to the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with abstract nouns like "reform", "enterprise", "privacy" or "change" to describe institutional or systemic resistance.

Common error

Avoid using the adverbial form "hostilely" when you are describing a state of being. Correct usage is "the environment is hostile to life", not "the environment is hostilely to life". The preposition "to" requires the adjective "hostile" to complete the predicate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be hostile to" functions as a predicate adjective phrase followed by a prepositional object. It serves to link a subject with a specific state of opposition or unfriendliness. According to Ludwig, the auxiliary verb "be" (often appearing as "is", "was" or "would be") establishes the condition, while "hostile" provides the qualitative attribute and "to" points toward the target of that hostility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0.7%

Academic

0.3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be hostile to" is a powerful tool for any writer looking to describe active resistance or inherent unfriendliness. Whether you are analyzing political shifts in The New York Times or discussing extraterrestrial environments in a scientific journal, this phrase provides a clear and professional way to signal antagonism. Ludwig AI data reveals that it is exceptionally common in high-level journalism, making it a safe and effective choice for both neutral reporting and persuasive essays. When using it, remember that it implies a stronger, more emotional or systemic opposition than simple disagreement. By choosing "be hostile to", you communicate that the subject is not merely indifferent but is actively working against or is incompatible with the target.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be inimical to

Implies a more inherent or natural opposition, often used in formal or academic contexts

be antagonistic toward

Suggests active conflict or a competitive struggle against something

be adverse to

Focuses more on having an unfavorable or opposing opinion rather than an aggressive stance

oppose

A direct verb that removes the auxiliary and adjective for a punchier, more active tone

be ill-disposed toward

Indicates a negative attitude or lack of favor, often appearing less aggressive

be unsympathetic to

Highlights a lack of support or understanding rather than active aggression

resist

Implies taking action to stop or fight against a specific movement or idea

be contrary to

Used when describing ideas or laws that go against established norms or logic

clash with

Suggests a direct and often visible conflict between two parties or ideologies

be at odds with

Indicates a state of disagreement or lack of harmony without necessarily implying aggression

FAQs

How do I use "be hostile to" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person or entity's negative stance, such as: "The local council proved to be "hostile to" the new development plans".

What is a more formal way to say "be hostile to"?

In academic or legal writing, you might prefer "be inimical to" or "be adverse to".

Can "be hostile to" be used for inanimate objects?

Yes, it is common in scientific contexts, such as describing a planet's atmosphere that might "be hostile to life".

Is "be hostile to" different from "be against"?

Yes, "be against" is neutral, while "be hostile to" suggests a deeper level of aggression, unfriendliness or active resentment.