Standard Lemma guide

hostilize

verb · 1 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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1

verb

Meaning 1

To make hostile; to cause to become an enemy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Examples

  • 1794, Anna Seward, Letters of Anna Seward Letter 96, to Reverend T. S. Whalley. When England, Spain, Holland, and Russia united with the powers already hostilized against an impious nation, that had reduced robbery, murder, and profaneness to a cool and practical system, I thought there was the fairest prospect of their success .
  • March 4, 1815, Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis C. Grey, Esq. if they go on checking, irritating, injuring and hostilizing us, they will force on us the motto “Carthago delenda est”.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From hostile + -ize.