inhospitable

adjective

in·hos·pi·ta·ble ˌin-(ˌ)hä-ˈspi-tə-bəl (ˌ)in-ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-

Synonyms of inhospitable

: not showing hospitality : not friendly or receptive

: providing no shelter or sustenance

an inhospitable environment

inhospitableness noun

inhospitably

ˌin-(ˌ)hä-ˈspi-tə-blē

(ˌ)in-ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-

adverb

Examples of inhospitable in a Sentence

It's very inhospitable of him to be so rude to strangers. the proposal received an unexpectedly inhospitable response from the city council

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Making homes inhospitable to pests is a sign of a good cleaning routine, but when insects start showing up, something is amiss. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2026 Other insects, like roaches, are also drawn inside when the weather is inhospitable. — Eva Flowe june 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026 Iran was inhospitable to former Afghan officials like him, and many couldn’t return home due to security concerns. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 4 June 2026 Sunflowers, fennel, and black walnut trees create shady or inhospitable conditions for tomatoes. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for inhospitable

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of inhospitable was circa 1570

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

inhoop

inhospitable

inhospital

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Inhospitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhospitable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inhospitable

adjective

in·hos·pi·ta·ble ˌin-(ˌ)häs-ˈpit-ə-bəl (ˈ)in-ˈhäs-(ˌ)pit-

: not friendly or generous : not showing hospitality

: providing no shelter or food : barren

an inhospitable desert

inhospitably

-blē

adverb

inhospitality

(ˌ)in-ˌhäs-pə-ˈtal-ət-ē

noun

inhospitable

adjective

Synonyms of inhospitable

Examples of inhospitable in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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