1
as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adverse
opposed to one's interests
laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished freedoms
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 inimical
To believe otherwise is to not just believe that slower periods of economic growth require the very central planning that is so inimical to good times.
—
John Tamny, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Its interests are often inimical to the principles of accountability.
—Ali Riaz, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2024
These ideas have never been taken up by the scientific community as brains are wet and warm, inimical to the formation of superpositions, at least compared to existing quantum computers that operate at temperatures 10,000 times colder than room temperature to avoid destroying superposition states.
—Hartmut Neven, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2024
The Soviet experience left a legacy of resentment and cynicism that was rather inimical to genuine public spirited involvement.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for inimical
John Tamny, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Its interests are often inimical to the principles of accountability.
—Ali Riaz, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2024
These ideas have never been taken up by the scientific community as brains are wet and warm, inimical to the formation of superpositions, at least compared to existing quantum computers that operate at temperatures 10,000 times colder than room temperature to avoid destroying superposition states.
—Hartmut Neven, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2024
The Soviet experience left a legacy of resentment and cynicism that was rather inimical to genuine public spirited involvement.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for inimical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inimical
Adjective
-
The crowd was right on top of you there, the students rimmed the court, the very definition of a hostile environment.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2025
-
That’s coupled with a more hostile political environment for diversity-forward businesses.—
Phoebe Liu,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The consequences are both deeply personal and widely systemic: Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, experience adverse drug reactions, and face delays in care.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Mifepristone is currently part of that program, though a wealth of research has shown that less than 0.5% of women who take it have serious adverse reactions.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
All the 113 negative votes came from Democrats, three of them from Massachusetts.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
16 June 2025
-
Father’s Day weekend was celebratory for some dads in the world, and negative for others.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Seeing the unfavorable replies, the mother chimed in.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
14 June 2025
-
Across more than a dozen surveys conducted between late January and mid-May 2025, unfavorable ratings consistently outstrip favorable ones—often by double-digit margins.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Of course, not getting The Notebook was far from detrimental, as Witherspoon became a leading romantic comedy actress and starred in Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama, Vanity Fair, Walk the Line and Just Like Heaven — all from 2001 to 2005.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
1 June 2025
-
This change is especially detrimental to the daughter’s character, forcing Łubik to spend most of her performance hysterically responding to her mother’s actions.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Avoid reusing or reheating cooking oils to prevent harmful compounds.35 Taste and flavor: Canola, grapeseed, corn, soybean, safflower, and sunflower oils are ideal for sautéing or baking.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
12 June 2025
-
Independent testing confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants.—
Nick Blackmer,
Health,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inimical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inimical. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share