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
Vienna is often listed in international rankings as an unfriendly city.
—
Dennis Braatz, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
But Heger said the irony is Ecuador is unfriendly toward Venezuelans.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
And Hungary is an unfriendly country.
—Patrick Smith, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
The regime advanced legislation to bar unfriendly countries from the waterway and require all vessels to pay a toll.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Dennis Braatz, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
But Heger said the irony is Ecuador is unfriendly toward Venezuelans.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
And Hungary is an unfriendly country.
—Patrick Smith, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
The regime advanced legislation to bar unfriendly countries from the waterway and require all vessels to pay a toll.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
Adjective
-
The team boarded the bus in Cleveland after a 117-95 blowout by the Cavaliers in dead silence, an icy pall setting in among teammates desperate not to let losing become comfortable.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
-
Clutching a mysterious tool the shape of a mouse coffin, Firth’s villain tracks Daniel’s location by mentally transplanting himself into another person’s body, changing the color of their pupils to his own icy blue.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Many Christians seek to keep a hostile world at bay by discouraging inquiry and critical thinking, by empowering theological enforcers, and by drawing narrow doctrinal boundaries.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
While some states would be hostile to public university athletes attempts to gain employment recognition, others might be more welcoming.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Courage California’s Kao said the negative ads may have reflected poorly on Steyer, whose favorability ratings were nearly 10 percentage points lower than Becerra’s in a final UC Berkeley poll in late May.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
The mother-in-law tends to be very negative, and is known to say unkind things about whoever isn’t present.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold cases and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
Fleur and Caroline put innumerable noses out of joint on their paths to creative and intellectual fulfillment; lovers become dejected, friendships are left to go cold, and each woman’s devotion to her work is viewed with resentment and suspicion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
The undertaking might seem crazy to those who diss the fight game or have unfavorable reviews of the current administration.—
Dan Gelston,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
-
Negotiating power is harder to see—until conditions become unfavorable and someone needs to act against the system their balance sheet depends on.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
But getting in the lake's often-frigid waters is the definitive Tahoe experience.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
Ötzi the Iceman, who died 5,300 years ago, is kept at a frigid 21 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Under its bylaws, the Big 12 can punish a member school for engaging in actions materially adverse to the conference.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 June 2026
-
Such insurance contracts are commonplace among teams and players to insure against adverse events, according to Karl Lockhart, a DePaul University law professor specialized in prediction markets.—
Camila Grigera Naon,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
You're tempted to lower your thermostat for a chilly home, but as a result, you're met with energy bills that are just as high (if not higher) than the temperatures outside.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
The wind was chilly, but the sun made up for it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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