unfriendly

adjective

ˌən-ˈfren(d)-lē How to pronounce unfriendly (audio)
Definition of unfriendlynext
1
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling the unfriendly looks quickly warmed when we were recognized as long-unseen relatives

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will an unfriendly nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in negative
opposed to one's interests the claim that the state's numerous regulations create a climate unfriendly to small businesses

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unfriendly Norma Jeane was reared in a number of unfriendly foster homes until she was sent at the age of 9 to a Los Angeles orphanage. — Joshua John Miller, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2026 Vienna is often listed in international rankings as an unfriendly city. — Dennis Braatz, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026 And then there’s the prim and unfriendly Stagg, who doesn’t play well with others, who insists on having the office to himself, and who refuses to let the affable Krick be a part of his reports to Ike and the rest of the generals. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 May 2026 Bottom line, half of America is increasingly unfriendly to the LGBTQ+ population, Sears said. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
  1. icy
  2. hostile
  3. negative
  4. cold
  5. unfavorable
  6. frigid
  7. adverse
  8. chilly
Adjective
  • Multiple moons in the outer solar system — Saturn's Enceladus and Jupiter's Europa, for example — host big liquid-water oceans beneath their icy shells.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 July 2026
  • From aqua suede to icy satin, from stilettos to ballet flats and beach-ready sandals, whatever your bridal style calls, for there’s a pair of blue shoes to match.
    — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 2 July 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • For example, in March, the crypto exchange Kraken put its multibillion‑dollar IPO on hold amid hostile market conditions, according to CoinDesk.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • The powder, sourced from California Dairies and supplied by a third party, tested negative for salmonella before the company used it in the chips.
    — Sarah Jacoby, NBC news, 2 July 2026
  • Apple, for instance, dropped 5% on April 8, its fourth-straight negative day.
    — Alex Harring,Luke Fountain, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of negative
Adjective
  • Next to him, the waters of Lincoln’s Sinking Spring still ran cold.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • If time doesn’t allow for spa treatments, a morning swim in the indoor pool accompanied by a sauna and cold plunge in one of their two thermal suites might suffice.
    — Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • That same study found 39% held an unfavorable view of socialism, versus 47% with an unfavorable view of capitalism.
    — Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • If the value of the stock declines, additional collateral may be required or positions may need to be liquidated under unfavorable conditions.
    — Joshua Harmon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • But experts say the optimal temperatures are far from frigid.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • But that’s not how exhaustion typically works during a seventeen-hour climb in frigid weather.
    — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.
    — Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
  • Valentine also testified that the FDA encourages infant formula companies to send in all adverse event reports and that nothing prevented Mead Johnson from doing so.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • Flemings, like Peterson a one-and-done player in college, had 14 points on chilly 4-of-16 shooting.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
  • Then the movie ended, and someone flicked the lights, and people wiped their faces and checked their apps and the door opened for a chilly evening breeze.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of chilly

Browse Nearby Words

unfriendliness
unfriendly
unfrivolous
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Cite this Entry

“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unfriendly for Spanish Speakers

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