inhospitable

adjective

in·​hos·​pi·​ta·​ble ˌin-(ˌ)hä-ˈspi-tə-bəl  (ˌ)in-ˈhä-(ˌ)spi- 

1

: not showing hospitality : not friendly or receptive

2

: providing no shelter or sustenance

an inhospitable environment

inhospitableness noun

inhospitably

ˌin-(ˌ)hä-ˈspi-tə-blē 

(ˌ)in-ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-

adverb

Synonyms

• hostile
• negative

Examples of inhospitable in a Sentence

It's very inhospitable of him to be so rude to strangers.

the proposal received an unexpectedly inhospitable response from the city council

Recent Examples on the Web

And yes, the infamously inhospitable editorial boss lady, Miranda Priestly, is sticking to her signature style after nearly 20 years—including that iconic hairstyle. —Marci Robin, Allure, 23 July 2025

Detainees, who’ve described unsanitary and inhospitable conditions, are asking a federal judge to compel the Everglades detention center to provide adequate legal access that reportedly has not existed since its opening. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 17 July 2025

No politician ran for office pledging to make California financially inhospitable to middle-class families. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025

In Saturation Point, Dr. Jasmine Marks leads a search and rescue mission into ‘The Zone’, a section of rainforest along the equator with a climate inhospitable to intelligent life. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inhospitable

adjective

in·​hos·​pi·​ta·​ble ˌin-(ˌ)häs-ˈpit-ə-bəl  (ˈ)in-ˈhäs-(ˌ)pit- 

1

: not friendly or generous : not showing hospitality

2

: providing no shelter or food : barren

an inhospitable desert

inhospitably

-blē 

adverb

inhospitality

(ˌ)in-ˌhäs-pə-ˈtal-ət-ē

noun