hostile

/ˈhɒstaɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhɑːstl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhä-stᵊl -ˌstī(-ə)l/ (ame, mw)

hostile — adjective

  • hostilepositive
  • hostilercomparative
  • hostilestsuperlative

1. showing strong dislike or anger toward someone, often ready to confront or quarr

1.形容詞B1
釋義

showing strong dislike or anger toward someone, often ready to confront or quarrel

例句

The crowd grew hostile when the referee made a decision against the home team.

grew hostile (became unfriendly and angry)

Samir's hostile tone during the meeting made everyone feel uncomfortable.

hostile tone

同義詞
  • unfriendly

    the most general word; describes a lack of warmth rather than active anger

  • aggressive

    suggests a stronger tendency to attack or confront rather than just feel dislike

  • antagonistic

    more formal; implies actively working against someone or something

反義詞
  • friendly

    showing warmth and kindness toward others

  • welcoming

    actively making someone feel accepted and at ease

文法句型

hostile + toward/to + noun

用法筆記

Often describes a person's manner, look, tone, or overall attitude. Frequently followed by 'to' or 'toward' to specify the target of the hostility.

常見錯誤

❌She was hostile with me.
✅She was hostile toward me.
💡The correct preposition after 'hostile' when referring to a person is 'toward' (or 'to'), not 'with'.

2. strongly refusing to accept a particular idea, suggestion, or change

2.形容詞B2
釋義

strongly refusing to accept a particular idea, suggestion, or change

例句

Many residents were hostile to the plan to build a highway through the park.

hostile to [plan / idea / proposal]

The company faced a hostile reaction from workers when it announced job cuts.

hostile reaction / hostile response

同義詞
  • opposed

    more neutral; states disagreement without the emotional charge of 'hostile'

  • resistant

    suggests active efforts to prevent something from happening

  • against

    the simplest and most informal alternative

反義詞

文法句型

hostile + to + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Typically followed by the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'hostile to reform'). The subject is often a group of people, and the object is an abstract idea, policy, or change.

常見錯誤

❌The manager was hostile about the proposal.
✅The manager was hostile to the proposal.
💡Use 'to', not 'about', after 'hostile' when expressing opposition to an idea.

3. describing conditions that are extremely difficult for people, animals, or plant

3.形容詞B2
釋義

describing conditions that are extremely difficult for people, animals, or plants to survive or develop in

例句

Only a few hardy plants can survive in the hostile climate of the high desert.

hostile climate / hostile environment

The astronauts trained to work in the hostile conditions of outer space.

同義詞
  • inhospitable

    the closest synonym; a more formal but directly equivalent word for this sense

  • harsh

    broader; can describe weather or treatment, not limited to survival contexts

  • unfavorable

    milder; suggests conditions are not ideal rather than severely difficult

反義詞
  • hospitable

    describing conditions that are welcoming and easy to live in

  • favorable

    suggesting conditions that help growth or success

文法句型

hostile + noun (environment / climate / conditions)

用法筆記

Commonly modifies nouns that describe natural settings — 'climate', 'territory', 'environment', 'conditions'. Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense does not involve people's feelings or opinions.

4. belonging to the opposing side in a war or military conflict

4.形容詞B2
釋義

belonging to the opposing side in a war or military conflict

例句

The army moved its tanks into hostile territory at dawn.

hostile territory

The pilot identified the aircraft as a hostile fighter approaching from the east.

hostile aircraft / hostile fighter

同義詞
  • enemy

    the direct equivalent, though 'enemy' can also be a noun; 'hostile' sounds more formal or technical

  • opposing

    a neutral term; can refer to any conflict, not just military

  • adversarial

    broader; used in legal, political, or competitive contexts as well

反義詞
  • allied

    belonging to one's own side in a conflict

  • friendly

    in military contexts, 'friendly forces' means forces on one's own side

文法句型

hostile + noun (territory / forces / aircraft)

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively in attributive position (before a noun). Common in military reports and news coverage of armed conflicts. Do not use this sense for personal disagreements — use sense 1 instead.

5. describing an attempt by one company to gain control of another company against

5.形容詞C1
釋義

describing an attempt by one company to gain control of another company against the wishes of the target company's owners or managers

例句

The board took several actions to prevent a hostile takeover by a larger competitor.

hostile takeover

Allison's firm advised the company on how to defend against a hostile bid.

hostile bid

同義詞
  • unwelcome

    a milder general term; lacks the specific business context

  • unsolicited

    formal; describes a bid made without the target's invitation

  • contested

    describes a takeover that is being fought; focuses on the resistance rather than the initiator

反義詞
  • friendly

    in business contexts, a 'friendly takeover' is one approved by the target company's board

文法句型

hostile + takeover / bid / merger

用法筆記

Almost always appears as part of the fixed phrases 'hostile takeover' or 'hostile bid' in business-news contexts. Not used independently (e.g., 'a hostile company' does not have this meaning).