hostile greeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hostile greeting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a greeting that is unfriendly or aggressive in nature. Example: "When she walked into the room, his hostile greeting made it clear that he was not pleased to see her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But as big a worry for the Vatican as a hostile greeting from some quarters must be an indifferent one from mainstream Britain.

The Economist

Owners Venky's were in attendance for Appleton's Ewood Park debut and received a predictably hostile greeting from the home support.

BBC

Texas gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis received a hostile greeting in Los Angeles Thursday morning, when life-sized posters depicting her as "Abortion Barbie" began popping up throughout the city ahead of her fundraiser there.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Consider an observation she makes during the Soviet occupation, while passing through a checkpoint manned by members of the extremist mujahedin, who ask hostile questions instead of extending the usual Afghan greetings.

The New York Times - Books

The crowds greeting the motorcade are unexpectedly large and friendly, with nary a hostile placard in sight.

The New York Times - Books

Bill had just nominated Obama for re-election at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, and their warm greeting was seen as a burying of the hatchet between the two presidents, whose relationship had been frosty and, at times, openly hostile.

The Guardian

It was hostile".

The New York Times - Sports

Hostile sentiments are commonplace.

The New York Times

Or was it hostile?

The New Yorker

"They were pretty hostile.

The New Yorker

"Particular" here means hostile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hostile greeting" when you want to emphasize the unwelcoming and potentially aggressive nature of a reception. It is often used in news and media to describe reactions to controversial figures or events.

Common error

Avoid using "hostile greeting" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its strong connotation is better suited for more serious or formal contexts, such as news reports or analyses of political events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hostile greeting" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "hostile" modifies the noun "greeting". This describes the quality of the greeting, indicating its unwelcoming nature. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hostile greeting" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an unwelcoming or aggressive reception. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, primarily within news and media contexts. While alternatives like "unfriendly welcome" or "cold reception" exist, "hostile greeting" carries a stronger connotation of antagonism. Although infrequent, mastering its appropriate application adds precision to descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfriendly welcome

Replaces "hostile" with "unfriendly", softening the tone but maintaining the negative connotation.

aggressive salutation

Substitutes "greeting" with "salutation" and "hostile" with "aggressive", emphasizing the assertive and potentially confrontational nature of the greeting.

cold reception

Uses a metaphor to describe the lack of warmth in the welcome.

chilly welcome

Similar to "cold reception" but uses a different adjective.

unwelcoming gesture

Shifts the focus to a specific action or signal that conveys a lack of welcome.

offensive greeting

Indicates that the greeting was deliberately insulting or disrespectful.

antagonistic introduction

Highlights the adversarial nature of the initial interaction.

nasty salutation

Emphasizes the unpleasant and disagreeable nature of the greeting.

negative acknowledgement

Emphasizes the unfavorable nature of the response or recognition.

bitter hello

Implies resentment or animosity behind the greeting.

FAQs

What does "hostile greeting" mean?

A "hostile greeting" refers to an unfriendly or aggressive welcome. It implies a negative reception, often accompanied by visible signs of disapproval or antagonism.

What are some alternatives to "hostile greeting"?

You can use alternatives like "unfriendly welcome", "cold reception", or "aggressive salutation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How is a "hostile greeting" different from an "unfriendly greeting"?

While both terms indicate a lack of warmth, a "hostile greeting" suggests a more active and potentially confrontational form of negativity than a simple "unfriendly greeting".

In what situations is it appropriate to use the term "hostile greeting"?

The term is appropriate when describing situations where someone receives a distinctly negative and unwelcoming reception, particularly in political, social, or public contexts. For example, "The politician received a hostile greeting from protestors".