non-hostile
/ˌnɒnˈhɒs.taɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːnˈhɑː.stəl/ (ame, ipa)
non-hostile — adjective
1. behaving in a way that shows you are not against another person or group — your
behaving in a way that shows you are not against another person or group — your tone, body language, or actions do not suggest you wish them harm.
Hoa kept her voice steady and non-hostile when her teenage son slammed the bedroom door.
non-hostile + voice / tone for de-escalation
The two cats were not friends, but their daily encounters in the hallway stayed non-hostile.
predicative use: stayed / remained non-hostile
Andrei wanted a non-hostile chat with the new neighbours before discussing the broken fence.
The teacher took a non-hostile approach when asking why Esme had missed three classes.
- hostile
openly unfriendly or aggressive
- aggressive
actively confrontational
用法筆記
Often describes tone, manner, body language, or an approach rather than a person's whole character. Frequently chosen when the situation could easily turn confrontational and the speaker is signalling it has not.
常見錯誤
2. describing a place, climate, or set of conditions that does not make life or gro
describing a place, climate, or set of conditions that does not make life or growth difficult — people, plants, or animals can survive there without a constant struggle.
After three winters in Lapland, Soraya moved south to a more non-hostile climate.
non-hostile + climate / environment / weather
The greenhouse provides a non-hostile space where tropical orchids can flower all year.
non-hostile + space / habitat / environment for growth
Saira chose the office because the open lighting felt non-hostile to her young children.
Engineers designed the underwater base to be a non-hostile shelter during long research missions.
- harsh
actively difficult or punishing
- inhospitable
too difficult for normal life
用法筆記
Subject is typically a setting (climate, environment, habitat, building, space) — not a person. Distinguish from sense 1, which describes social behaviour; sense 2 describes physical conditions for living or growing.
常見錯誤
3. during a war or armed conflict, not belonging to the enemy side and not taking p
during a war or armed conflict, not belonging to the enemy side and not taking part in fighting — used for people, ships, aircraft, territory, or anyone in similar circumstances.
The pilots were ordered to avoid firing on any non-hostile fishing boats in the bay.
non-hostile + vessels / aircraft / civilians in conflict zones
Foreign journalists travelled into non-hostile territory before crossing into the warring region.
non-hostile + territory / area / zone
Caio's grandfather, a farmer, was treated as a non-hostile civilian and allowed to keep his land.
The army opened a checkpoint to let non-hostile families flee toward the coast.
用法筆記
Formal; common in military, journalism, and law-of-war contexts. Subject is usually a vessel, aircraft, territory, or category of people during an active conflict — not a single private encounter (use sense 1 for that).
常見錯誤
4. describing a takeover or merger in which the company being bought, and its direc
describing a takeover or merger in which the company being bought, and its directors, agree to the deal rather than fighting against it.
The board accepted a non-hostile offer from a larger rival after two months of friendly talks.
non-hostile + offer / bid / takeover (M&A context)
Investors welcomed the non-hostile merger because both companies kept most of their senior staff.
non-hostile + merger / acquisition / deal
Lawyers spent weeks drafting the contract to keep the buyout strictly non-hostile.
Hamza prefers advising on non-hostile acquisitions where both sides come to the table willingly.
- friendly
the standard term in business journalism; 'friendly takeover' is far more common than 'non-hostile takeover'
- agreed
British financial term for the same idea; non-hostile is broader in register
- negotiated
stresses the bargaining process; non-hostile stresses the absence of resistance
用法筆記
Specialist business and legal use. Almost always paired with deal nouns (takeover, bid, offer, merger, acquisition). Distinguish from sense 1: here it specifically means the target company is co-operating, not just being polite.