Phrase guide

hostile witness

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A witness who intentionally gives unfavorable evidence against the party that called him or her as its witness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: adverse witness, turncoat witness, unfavourable witness

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a witness whose relationship to the opposing party is such that his or her testimony may be prejudiced against the opposing party

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a hostile witness can be asked leading questions and cross-examined

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: adverse witness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: witness

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 敵對證人 /敌对证人 (díduì zhèngrén) — person called to testify by a party to whom that witness is opposed
  • Spanish: testigo desfavorable — person called to testify by a party to whom that witness is opposed
  • Thai: พยานปรปักษ์ — person called to testify by a party to whom that witness is opposed