inimical

in·im·i·cal

adjective \i-ˈni-mi-kəl\

Definition of INIMICAL

1

: being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence <forces inimical to democracy>

2

a : having the disposition of an enemy : hostile <inimical factions>

b : reflecting or indicating hostility : unfriendly <his father's inimical glare>

— in·im·i·cal·ly \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of INIMICAL

1. <received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support>
2. <laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished freedoms>

Origin of INIMICAL

Late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus enemy — more at enemy

First Known Use: 1573

Related to INIMICAL

Synonyms

adversarial, adversary, antagonistic, antipathetic, inhospitable, hostile, jaundiced, mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic

Antonyms

friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic

Related Words

adverse, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, clashing, combative, conflicting, contentious, contrary, disputatious, militant, opposed, pugnacious, quarrelsome, resisting, scrappy, truculent; antisocial, cold, cool, disagreeable, disapproving, distant, frigid, icy; biased, prejudiced; discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, surly, uncivil, unfavorable, unkind, unmannerly, unpleasant, unsociable; acrimonious, bitter, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, opprobrious, rancorous, spiteful, unloving, vindictive, virulent

Near Antonyms

affable, amiable, amicable, civil, companionable, comradely, convivial, cordial, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, gregarious, neighborly, pleasant, sociable, social, warm; affectionate, devoted, kind, kindly, loving, nice, sweet; accepting, agreeable, approving, benign, empathetic, favorable, understanding, warmhearted, welcoming