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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 At the same time, even transgender activists are divided over supporting Democrats who have positions that are unfriendly to transgender people. — Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 And it has been noticed, in friendly and unfriendly quarters. — Robert Stone, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 This tropical wave was rolling off Africa’s west coast early Monday, and forecasters said conditions in the otherwise unfriendly Atlantic might line up to give this one a shot at strengthening by the middle to end of the week. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 Pittsburg State’s Bid Day activities took place last Friday in late afternoon, which meant the balloons had to be installed during the unfriendly heat of the day. — Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 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
  • Available both in the restaurant and the cafe at All Mart’s entrance, this icy dessert has a floral cardamom flavor and a slight crunch from its dusting of pistachios.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But there’s no icy chill to his vision, only the glib confidence that a feel-good montage or a piercing Anohni and the Johnsons ballad will blind us to his film’s lack of human connection.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • About 70% of the members of Brazil’s lower house and 80% of the Senate are considered to be hostile to environmental and climate agendas, according to the observatory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In a turnabout from Orbán’s hostile approach to Kyiv, Magyar’s government has expressed solidarity with Ukraine and designated Russia a national security threat.
    — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • As for gas, it has usually been treated as a waste product to be burned off; because there are so few pipelines to bring it to market, West Texas gas prices have even dipped negative this year.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The mood in the markets turned sharply negative today as traders sold off stock around the world.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of negative
Adjective
  • The instigating weather system bringing the risk to the Southwest is an upper-level low — or a high altitude pocket of cold air, low pressure and spin.
    — Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The case went cold until 2014, when Stockwell was located and interviewed by cold case detectives.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • But in a midterm environment broadly seen as unfavorable to Republicans, Democrats see a competitive opportunity to flip control of Congress amid growing economic discontent over rising gas and fertilizer costs in the agriculture-heavy state.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Falcons’ bout with the 49ers appeared unfavorable on paper.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • In any office environment that can range from boiling to frigid, smart layering is an absolute necessity.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2026
  • This unique trait has led planetary scientists to hypothesize that the asteroid formed in the frigid outer solar system and migrated inward early in the solar system's history.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • In recent years, cocoa prices have surged due to adverse weather across key West African producing regions.
    — , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Batie-Smoose seeks reinstatement or a comparable job, compensation and correction of adverse personnel records.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, getting electrons to cooperate in this fashion requires specific materials operating under some pretty chilly conditions.
    — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
  • An upper-level trough moving through the Northeast Friday will reinforce the chilly, dry air mass already in place, while strong high pressure builds in from Canada.
    — Kate Bilo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of chilly

Browse Nearby Words

unfriendliness
unfriendly
unfrivolous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All