hostile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hostile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unfriendly or antagonistic attitude or behavior towards someone or something. Example: "The negotiations broke down due to the hostile environment created by both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The real effect of this speech will be to further increase the intolerance and the hostile reception that immigrants are facing from some sections of society".

The New York Times

"The background climate in this county has become … unremittingly hostile.

The Guardian

You say that you respect Parliament, that you answered more questions than your predecessors and that you are the first Prime Minister to appear before a select committee, but in other ways you seem thoroughly hostile to the idea of scrutiny by elected representatives.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I think it certainly came across in focus groups that women, and we did say this all the way through the campaign, Nicola said it a lot, not that they were necessarily more hostile but they were more questioning.

The Guardian

"These are, firstly, the difficulty of identifying clearly the hand of a hostile state government in the subversive destabilising effects they bring to bear in the early stages of such a strategy," he said.

The Guardian

Hostile foreign agencies would be using all manner of low tricks and high technology to get hold of the classified files gifted to us by Snowden.

The Guardian

As with our poll of Sun readers, these figures seem to suggest a different, far less hostile attitude than results to questions about the overall level of immigration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Britain joined late, in 1973, but some English people – perhaps steeped in Britain's maritime, free-trade and imperial traditions – felt wary or hostile towards the EU.

The Guardian

Related: Ill-disciplined rabble in anti-Farage protest | Letters Next, I start receiving hostile texts from activists: the story in the Guardian is presumed to have been written by me, the only journalist on the scene.

The Guardian

But, if Scotland refused to pay its fair shares, this would be seen as a "hostile" act.

The Guardian

I think it's become more hostile," Wong says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an environment, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Hostile" suggests active antagonism, while other words might imply mere discomfort or lack of welcome.

Common error

Avoid using "hostile" when a milder term like "unfriendly" or "challenging" would be more appropriate. "Hostile" implies a strong, active opposition that might be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "hostile" primarily functions to describe nouns, indicating an inimical, unfriendly, or antagonistic quality. Ludwig examples show it modifying terms like "reception", "climate", "environment", and "agencies", highlighting its role in ascribing negative attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hostile" is a versatile adjective used to describe something or someone that is unfriendly, antagonistic, or opposed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in the context of News & Media. When writing, be mindful of the strong connotations of "hostile" and ensure it accurately reflects the level of opposition or antagonism you wish to convey. Consider using alternatives like "antagonistic" or "unfriendly" when a milder tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Antagonistic

Emphasizes active opposition or dislike.

Unfriendly

Highlights a lack of friendliness or warmth.

Aggressive

Focuses on forceful or attacking behavior.

Inimical

Stresses being harmful or unfavorable.

Belligerent

Implies a readiness to fight or argue.

Adverse

Suggests opposition or negativity in effect.

Confrontational

Highlights a tendency to face conflict directly.

Averse

Emphasizes a strong dislike or opposition.

Inhospitable

Focuses on a lack of welcome or comfort.

Hateful

Implies intense dislike or hatred.

FAQs

How to use "hostile" in a sentence?

You can use "hostile" to describe environments, attitudes, or actions. For example, "The environment was hostile to new businesses" or "He displayed a hostile attitude towards the proposal".

What can I say instead of "hostile"?

You can use alternatives like "antagonistic", "unfriendly", or "aggressive" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "hostile environment" or "inhospitable environment"?

"Hostile environment" and "inhospitable environment" are both correct but carry slightly different meanings. "Hostile" suggests active opposition, while "inhospitable" suggests a lack of comfort or welcome.

What's the difference between "hostile" and "aggressive"?

"Hostile" describes an attitude of opposition or antagonism, while "aggressive" describes forceful or attacking behavior. Someone can be hostile without being physically aggressive, and vice versa.