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
An annual January ritual, as Illinois lawmakers gather in Springfield to begin a new legislative session, is the search for another basket of politically safe but invariably business- and citizen-unfriendly tax and fee increases to support their bloated government bureaucracies.
—
Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
But in forcibly toppling an unfriendly leader, the United States changed the rules.
—Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
Could that film change the momentum game and surprise, especially for a movie released in the unfriendly Oscar month of April?
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Dec. 2025
With that problem and bitumen's eco-unfriendly petroleum content in mind, a team led by Arizona State University's Assoc.
—New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
But in forcibly toppling an unfriendly leader, the United States changed the rules.
—Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
Could that film change the momentum game and surprise, especially for a movie released in the unfriendly Oscar month of April?
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Dec. 2025
With that problem and bitumen's eco-unfriendly petroleum content in mind, a team led by Arizona State University's Assoc.
—New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
Adjective
-
In Nashville, Tennessee, a small nonprofit mobilized volunteers to check on elderly and homebound neighbors, salt icy driveways, and run emergency errands.—
Cat Ward,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Passengers faced a chilling ordeal when their cruise ship became stuck in icy Antarctic waters.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His 134 men were armed with musket, cartridge pouch, and sword in case of a hostile encounter, and the Africaansche Galey lay close by with a couple of small cannon brought forward on the bow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The broader goal, Rubio said, is a prosperous Venezuela aligned with the United States and no longer serving as a hub for hostile foreign powers.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And one of the main lessons that will be learned from that account is that while the harms that occurred came quickly and sometimes surprisingly easily, their negative consequences — on universities and society at large — will linger for a long time.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The rapid rise of AI technology has had negative effects on the climate and humanity, albeit indirectly.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Her nurse scooped her up and ran to put her into a cold bath, and slowly the motions faded.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Ways to do that include cold showers, taking a nature walk, laughing, taking deep breaths, listening to something relaxing, or humming to yourself.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The fear here was due in part because Marathon had its last alpha decimated by ARC Raiders, dropping its own public test right on top of it this past summer, one that went far better and made Marathon look unfavorable in comparison.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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In 2021, the startup agreed to merge with a SPAC led by Gerry Cardinale and Billy Beane but ended up calling off the deal a year later, citing unfavorable market conditions.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Another child, a toddler, died at a Virginia hospital after being pulled from a frigid pond Monday, according to local police.—
Russ Bynum,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Saturday remains sharply frigid, with wind chills holding between 5 and 10 degrees.—
Justin Lewis,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For example, statins are known to be one of the most efficacious treatments to lower LDL and have shown remarkable impact in reducing the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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The extra calories can help their bodies keep them warm, but they should not be overfed, which can have an adverse effect.—
Riley Rourke,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether it's been a few days or a few years, a forkful of liver and onions will always deliver a dose of nostalgia—after all, this was the recipe so many Southern grandmas made to keep warm and fortified on an unseasonably chilly day.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
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The light wooden furniture, cosy space and Mediterranean menu offers a pleasant respite from the chilly damp of London’s winter.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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