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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfriendly
The designation is usually reserved for firms in unfriendly countries, such as China’s Huawei, and theoretically means Anthropic cannot work with any companies with military contracts.
—
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
While not gruff or unfriendly, the serious New York restaurateur carries a distinct tone of getting down to business, even when casually chatting about how the show has changed over time.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Compared with other cities, the model was less likely to associate Austin with being boring, stingy or unfriendly.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
And the narrative around this state — high-tax, highly regulated, unfriendly to business — badly needs changing.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
While not gruff or unfriendly, the serious New York restaurateur carries a distinct tone of getting down to business, even when casually chatting about how the show has changed over time.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Compared with other cities, the model was less likely to associate Austin with being boring, stingy or unfriendly.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
And the narrative around this state — high-tax, highly regulated, unfriendly to business — badly needs changing.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
Adjective
-
The Creature repays the favor by using his strength to free the ship from its icy prison.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
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But the growing body of evidence — including its comet-like tail, gas jets and molecular composition — strongly indicates that the object is a natural icy body.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Handling a hostile environment Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle said his team knew what to expect from Bobcat Ballpark.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
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Brasília was built from scratch, in the middle of nowhere, in the hostile climate of the Cerrado—a savanna-like biome—hundreds of miles from any highway, railway, or airport.—
Sophia La Banca,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Their advocacy reflects a growing consensus that social media’s negative effects on kids’ mental health and social lives outweigh the benefits.—
Ramesh Ponnuru,
Washington Post,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Average negative evaluation stood at 67 percent.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The spa Shaded by almost 100 palm trees and other endemic plants, the Ojo de Agua (watering hole) spa has hot and cold dipping pools.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
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Texas has gone cold at the worst time.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
El Nino conditions often suppress activity during the Atlantic hurricane season by producing unfavorable atmospheric winds.—
Dan Peck,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
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But the plain facts of the situation are obviously unfavorable to American interests.—
Phillips Payson O’Brien,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Whoever wins in November will fly to Sacramento to face the mess left behind by a governor departed for the frigid Iowa campaign hustings.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
-
On a calm, frigid afternoon, Matthews showed me the array and pointed out that the aircraft radar was on, to make sure that no errant pilot tried to fly overhead.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Honeycutt noted that the executive order came just days before the House Agriculture Committee was considering a five-year farm bill that would shield manufacturers from litigation related to adverse health impacts when the chemicals are used in accordance with federal law.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
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Short-term exposure by inhalation can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue respiratory irritation and other adverse health effects, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The solid side features side-seam pockets that are perfect for keeping your hands warm on chilly days, while the tartan side features flap pockets to keep your phone, earbuds, and other small valuables secure.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
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Ahead of the chilly weather, conditions will be warm and sunny on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, according to the National Weather Service Fort Worth.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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