inimical

in·im·i·cal

adj \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

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