hostile position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hostile position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a stance or viewpoint that is aggressive, unfriendly, or antagonistic towards someone or something. Example: "The negotiations broke down due to the parties' unwillingness to move away from their hostile positions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The Congress of People's Deputies adopted a hostile position; Khasbulatov, especially, was uncompromising.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An Israeli spokesman said that Mr. Falk was told that his entry would be barred given what was described as his hostile position toward Israel.

The New York Times

When I was younger all you could hear was my mum on the touchline shouting: "Sam, stay calm!" Flanker is a very hostile position.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think there's a danger when you adopt an immediately hostile position without having the goods, without having the smoking gun.

The Guardian

I play in a hostile position and it is part and parcel of the game, worth it for what rugby has given me in the last six or seven years.

The Guardian - Sport

As the citation put it, "His dauntless leadership and personal courage so inspired his men that they stormed into the hostile position and used their bayonets with such lethal effect that the enemy fled in wild disorder".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

There are two hostile positions to take on it.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's as if the sheer expenditure of words on this campaign has the effect of pushing normally fair-minded people into absurdly hostile positions that have to intensify over time or else they'll die.

The New Yorker

At Sword, as the 3rd Division moved inland, the 5th King's attempted to neutralise hostile positions and snipers.

Wikipedia

Instead, you'll be playing "the other side"—the predatory force scouting out the hostile positions and trying to remain hidden until you're ready to strike.

Vice

Taking a hostile, superior position of opposition will not persuade her to reconsider her orientation, even if such persuasion was possible (and many do not believe it is).

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports writing, use "hostile position" to indicate a defensive or confrontational strategy adopted by a team or player.

Common error

Avoid using "hostile position" when "assertive stance" is more appropriate. A "hostile position" implies animosity, while an "assertive stance" suggests confidence and determination without necessarily implying antagonism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hostile position" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "hostile" modifies the noun "position". This describes a specific stance or attitude characterized by antagonism or opposition. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hostile position" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that effectively conveys an adversarial or antagonistic stance. While not as common as other phrases, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian validates its usage. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. When employing this phrase, it's essential to consider whether the intensity of the term "hostile" accurately reflects the situation or if alternatives such as "antagonistic stance" or "aggressive viewpoint" might be more appropriate. Using "hostile position" accurately and deliberately enhances the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

antagonistic stance

Replaces "hostile" with "antagonistic", emphasizing active opposition.

adversarial stance

Substitutes "hostile" with "adversarial", highlighting the competitive or conflicting nature.

belligerent attitude

Changes "position" to "attitude" and "hostile" to "belligerent", focusing on an aggressive demeanor.

combative posture

Replaces "position" with "posture", suggesting readiness for conflict, and "hostile" with "combative".

aggressive viewpoint

Shifts from "position" to "viewpoint", highlighting the assertiveness of the opinion.

militant stance

Replaces "hostile" with "militant", indicating a more forceful and active opposition.

aggressive outlook

Similar to aggressive viewpoint, focusing on a general perspective.

negative disposition

Changes from a specific "position" to a general negative attitude.

unfriendly bearing

Describes a general demeanor that lacks warmth or cordiality.

oppositional viewpoint

Focuses specifically on a contrasting or opposing perspective.

FAQs

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

You can use "hostile position" to describe someone or something's aggressive, unfriendly, or antagonistic stance. For example: "The company adopted a "hostile position" during the negotiations."

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

While both phrases describe a confrontational attitude, "hostile position" often implies a deeper level of animosity and potential conflict, whereas "aggressive stance" may simply indicate assertiveness or determination.

What can I say instead of "hostile position"?

You can use alternatives like "antagonistic stance", "adversarial stance", or "belligerent attitude" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "hostile position" the same as "unfriendly position"?

While both suggest negativity, "hostile position" implies a more active and potentially harmful opposition, whereas "unfriendly position" simply suggests a lack of warmth or cordiality.