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
Put differently, an unintended consequence of restricting access to technology to potentially unfriendly countries might not only hamper one of the U.S.′ most successful companies.
—
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 29 May 2025
Easier said than done in an unfriendly and unfamiliar environment.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
The recent 12-day military conflict between Israel and Iran caused concerns about an economically unfriendly oil shock.
—Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Advertisement Both the Democratic Party and its voters are seen as unfriendly toward Christianity.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 29 May 2025
Easier said than done in an unfriendly and unfamiliar environment.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
The recent 12-day military conflict between Israel and Iran caused concerns about an economically unfriendly oil shock.
—Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Advertisement Both the Democratic Party and its voters are seen as unfriendly toward Christianity.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
Adjective
-
Gelato is very similar to ice cream, but only relies on milk instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter, icier texture than traditional homemade ice cream.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
-
Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Five days later, on July 8, an attorney for the city manager submitted a letter of potential claim against the city citing defamation, harassment and creation of a hostile work environment.—
Anita Edmondson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
-
In early October 2022, the ruling said, McCarty filed a hostile work environment complaint with the police department.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
In certain pockets, across some EU countries, this sort of geo-arbitrage or the existence of golden visas are viewed as negative, because of the view that expats can price locals out of the market for rents and cost of living.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, the brand that actually popularized the EV, moving it from compliance car and milk float to something desirable, has fallen even further into negative territory in July.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
So maybe this only lasts the week before their lives pull them in different directions — him to the frigid north, her to sunny Malibu.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 July 2025
-
The frigid air whips past their long tails, but the leopards are unbothered as their body is perfectly adapted to the harsh environment.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
These unpredictable, and often downright unfavorable, conditions are already impacting event attendance.—
Shawn Pierce,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Now, as then, Chinese leaders may pursue war even if the domestic economic and political conditions appear unfavorable—and even if the PLA is not ready to fight.—
M. Taylor Fravel,
Foreign Affairs,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
In terms of coffee, try the banana bread cold brew latte, which contains banana, cookie butter and cinnamon cold brew with banana cold foam on top for $6. 5.—
Molly Gregory,
The Courier-Journal,
29 July 2025
-
Patients may exhibit temperature differences between the affected and unaffected limbs (i.e., comparing the right and left feet); the affected limb may be colder or warmer, which can be measured with a thermal camera.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
The team identified three distinct behavioral phenotypes as a result of their experiments, representing the varying sensitivity of people to the adverse consequences (punishment) of their actions.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
24 July 2025
-
Without such data, the systems can serve adverse, false results or fail to understand the context of a user’s query, among other issues.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps things are still feeling slightly chilly with the neighbors.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
23 July 2025
-
Winters are cooler but pleasant, with daytime temperatures in the 60s or 70s but the evenings can be chilly, so perhaps not the best beach weather.—
Amy Bentley,
Oc Register,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share