ASVAB · Synonym Recognition

'Hostile' most nearly means:

Correct answer

Unfriendly

  1. A Unfriendly
  2. B Generous
  3. C Calm
  4. D Friendly

Why this is the answer

HOSTILE means showing or feeling opposition or dislike; UNFRIENDLY/antagonistic. 'Friendly' is the antonym. 'Hostile territory' or a 'hostile attitude' conveys aggression or opposition. ASVAB strategy: 'hostile' relates to hostility/enemies. Eliminate the opposite ('friendly') and choose 'unfriendly' as the closest synonym.
Source: ASVAB Word Knowledge — Synonyms

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About this topic: Synonym Recognition

Word Knowledge is mostly synonym questions: a word, sometimes in a short sentence, and four choices. Eliminate the words you know are wrong, use roots and prefixes on the rest, and never leave a blank — there is no penalty for guessing. This is one of 39 Word Knowledge questions on synonym recognition, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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