hostile agent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hostile agent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving security, espionage, or any situation where an individual or entity poses a threat or acts against a group or organization. Example: "The intelligence report indicated that a hostile agent had infiltrated the organization, posing a significant risk to national security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This "panic room" -- "a popular feature in high-end construction these days," according to the strangely hostile agent (Ian Buchanan) who shows Meg the house -- may seem like a sensible precaution, just in case, God forbid, anything bad should happen.

The New York Times

The F.B.I. director, Louis J. Freeh, said he was troubled that a hostile agent could go undetected for 15 years, while using internal computer systems to protect himself and gain access to sensitive material.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Despite fears that Karim might meet with hostile agents, his visit home appears to have been uneventful.

Wikipedia

Specifically, Bagdikian condemned a government program to issue "loyalty checks" to employees in order to ensure "hostile agents and unreliable citizens" were not infiltrating it.

Vice

Inflammation is a pathophysiological response of mammalian tissues to a variety of hostile agents including infectious organisms, toxic chemical substances, physical injury, or tumor growth leading to local accumulation of plasma fluid and blood cells [ 2].

BioMed Research International

Players in the Dark Zone from outside your group show as "non-hostile agents" when your aim rests on them.

Vice

But long before then, according to the C.I.A.'s files, Mr. Szulc had already been characterized as "anti-agency" and "under suspicion as a hostile foreign agent".

The New York Times

Like many Redfin customers who were interviewed, Mr. Webster and his wife, Robin Meyers, told of encountering hostile selling agents who said their offers would not be competitive if they used Redfin.

The New York Times

Though the study authors' view on the challenge of unmasking such skillful sock puppets is they are likely underestimating the presence of hostile foreign agents, rather than overblowing it.

TechCrunch

Even if you set aside directly hostile foreign agents using tech tools with the malicious intent of sewing political division and undermining democratic processes, the commercial lure of online disinformation is a potent distorting force in its own right.

TechCrunch

But his administration had already spent years orchestrating mass deportations, deepening the links between immigration enforcement and the criminal justice system, and pledging to secure an already-militarized border — thus lending credence to right-wing sentiment that immigrants are criminals or hostile foreign agents.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person or entity as a "hostile agent", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates their antagonistic actions or intent. Provide specific examples or evidence to support the claim, avoiding vague or unsubstantiated accusations.

Common error

Avoid using "hostile agent" in situations where simple disagreement or competition exists. This phrase implies a level of active opposition or malicious intent, so reserve it for scenarios involving clear threats or harmful actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hostile agent" functions as a noun phrase, where "hostile" modifies "agent". It serves to specifically identify an agent that acts with antagonism or opposition. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing spies, infiltrators, and other threatening individuals or entities. The phrase's correctness is supported by the Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hostile agent" is a noun phrase used to describe an individual or entity actively working against a target with malicious intent. While grammatically correct and used in various contexts, especially in news, media, science and wiki, it appears infrequently. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid overuse of the phrase in contexts where a more neutral term may be more appropriate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a valid part of the English lexicon and serves to convey threat or active opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

antagonistic operative

Replaces "agent" with "operative" and "hostile" with "antagonistic", emphasizing the opposing nature of the agent.

antagonistic force

A synonym that describes something that is set against another thing.

adversarial actor

Substitutes "agent" with "actor" and "hostile" with "adversarial", highlighting the opposing role played by the agent.

enemy operative

Replaces "hostile agent" with the direct term "enemy operative", indicating clear opposition.

aggressive force

Changes "agent" to "force" and "hostile" to "aggressive", focusing on the active and confrontational aspect.

averse element

Describes a reluctance to do something.

malevolent figure

Replaces "hostile agent" with a more descriptive term, focusing on the evil intent of the figure.

opposing entity

Substitutes "agent" with "entity" and "hostile" with "opposing", providing a more general and formal alternative.

threatening presence

Shifts the focus to the impact of the agent, describing them as a "threatening presence".

subversive element

Replaces "hostile agent" with a term that emphasizes their disruptive and undermining actions.

FAQs

How can I use "hostile agent" in a sentence?

Use "hostile agent" to describe someone working against an organization, government, or individual with malicious intent. For example: "The investigation revealed that a "hostile agent" had infiltrated the company to steal sensitive information."

What are some alternatives to "hostile agent"?

You can use alternatives like "antagonistic operative", "adversarial actor", or "enemy operative" depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

What distinguishes a "hostile agent" from a regular opponent?

A "hostile agent" is not merely an opponent but actively works against a target with the intent to cause harm or damage. Regular opponents may simply have conflicting goals without necessarily engaging in malicious actions.

Is it appropriate to use "hostile agent" in a business context?

Yes, "hostile agent" can be used in a business context, particularly when describing actions like corporate espionage or sabotage. However, ensure that the context warrants such a strong term and avoid using it for routine competitive activities.