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Hostage vs. Hostile — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Hostage and Hostile

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Definitions

Hostage

A hostage is a person seized by an abductor in order to compel another party such as a relative, employer, law enforcement or government to act, or refrain from acting, in a certain way, often under threat of serious physical harm to the hostage(s) after expiration of an ultimatum. The 1911 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica defines a hostage as "a person who is handed over by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war." Hostage taking is now considered a criminal activity.

Hostile

Of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy
Hostile forces.
Hostile acts.

Hostage

A person held by one party in a conflict as security that specified terms will be met by the opposing party.

Hostile

Feeling or showing enmity or ill will
Interpreted the remark as hostile.

Hostage

One that serves as security against an implied threat
Superpowers held hostage to each other by their nuclear arsenals.
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Hostile

Being in opposition; opposed
Hostile to the proposal.

Hostage

One that is under the constraining control of another
"In becoming a mother one becomes a hostage to fortune" (Janna Malamud Smith).

Hostile

Unfavorable to health or well-being; inhospitable or adverse
A hostile climate.

Hostage

A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or similar agreement, such as to ensure the status of a vassal.

Hostile

An antagonistic person or thing.
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Hostage

A person seized in order to compel another party to act (or refrain from acting) in a certain way, because of the threat of harm to the hostage.

Hostile

An enemy in warfare.

Hostage

Something that constrains one's actions because it is at risk.

Hostile

Not friendly; appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence or a desire to thwart and injure.
A hostile force
Hostile intentions
A hostile country
Hostile to a sudden change

Hostage

One who is compelled by something, especially something that poses a threat; one who is not free to choose their own course of action.

Hostile

; antagonistic.

Hostage

The condition of being held as security or to compel someone else to act or not act in a particular way.

Hostile

Of a hostile takeover.
Microsoft may go hostile in its bid for Yahoo as soon as Friday, according to a published report.

Hostage

To give (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else).

Hostile

An enemy.

Hostage

To hold (someone or something) hostage, especially in a way that constrains or controls the person or thing held, or in order to exchange for something else.

Hostile

Belonging or appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence, or a desire to thwart and injure; occupied by an enemy or enemies; inimical; unfriendly; as, a hostile force; hostile intentions; a hostile country; hostile to a sudden change.

Hostage

A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released.
Your hostages I have, so have you mine;And we shall talk before we fight.
He that hath a wife and children hath given hostages to fortune.

Hostile

An enemy; esp., an American Indian in arms against the whites; - commonly in the plural.

Hostage

A prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms

Hostile

Characterized by enmity or ill will;
A hostile nation
A hostile remark
Hostile actions

Hostile

Not belonging to your own country's forces or those of an ally;
Hostile naval and air forces

Hostile

Very unfriendly;
A hostile attitude

Hostile

Impossible to bring into friendly accord;
Hostile factions

Hostile

Very unfavorable to life or growth;
A hostile climate
An uncongenial atmosphere
An uncongenial soil
The unfriendly environment at high altitudes

Hostile

Marked by features that oppose constructive treatment or development;
Not able to accomplish much in such a hostile environment

Hostile

Used of attempts to buy or take control of a business;
Hostile takeover
Hostile tender offer

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