What does hostilely mean?
Hostilely is an adverb meaning that an action or attitude is hostile: antagonistic, unfriendly, or openly opposed to another person or position. It is commonly used to describe how someone responds to a person, proposal, or event, as in “respond hostilely” or “regard a plan hostilely.” The word can imply active confrontation, but it can also describe a colder, more calculated lack of cooperation; consequently, “aggressively” is not always an exact equivalent. Hostilely is most natural in formal reporting, academic discussion, and literary prose, while less formal alternatives include “in an unfriendly manner” and “with opposition.” Its Latin ancestry is especially notable: hostile comes through French from Latin hostilis, derived from hostis, meaning “enemy.” The related noun hostility expresses the same opposition in abstract form. Together, hostile and hostility form a useful word family for discussing conflict that is not limited to physical confrontation.
adverbIn a hostile manner characterized by antagonism, aggression, or opposition.
- Done with hostility, antagonism, or aggression toward someone or something.
"The delegation responded hostilely to the proposed changes."
"The crowd reacted hostilely when the speaker entered."
"Several committee members regarded the proposal hostilely because it threatened their department's autonomy."
The Latin root behind “hostilely” meant “enemy,” giving the word its unmistakable sense of active opposition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hostilely come from?
Hostilely was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to hostile. Hostile entered Middle English through French and ultimately derives from Latin hostilis, from hostis, meaning “enemy.” The same Latin family also produced hostility, while hostage has a related historical connection to the Latin vocabulary of enemies and those held as security.
How hostilely is actually used
Hostilely is formal and somewhat literary. In everyday speech, “in a hostile way” or “with hostility” may sound more natural.