The phrase "were hostile to" can be replaced with several synonyms when expressing a negative attitude, such as adversarial, antipathetic, aggressive, unfriendly, confrontational, resistant, unsympathetic, belligerent, opposed, and combative. Each term denotes a sense of opposition, animosity, or hostility towards an individual, community, or situation. When using these words, it is critical to consider the context in which they are being used, as well as the tone of the speaker or writer. Despite some differences in the intensity of these terms, they all convey a notion of negativity and hostility that can impact communication and relationships.