unfriendly

adjective

un·​friend·​ly ˌən-ˈfren(d)-lē 

: not friendly: such as

a

: hostile, unsympathetic

an unfriendly nation

b

: inhospitable, unfavorable

Synonyms of unfriendly

• icy
• cold
• frigid
• chilly
• cool

Examples of unfriendly in a Sentence

They were very unfriendly to us.

the unfriendly looks quickly warmed when we were recognized as long-unseen relatives

Recent Examples on the Web

With that problem and bitumen's eco-unfriendly petroleum content in mind, a team led by Arizona State University's Assoc. —New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025

Bidders sometimes take this approach if upper management at the target company appears unfriendly to their offer. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2025

International security experts also say the agency is the subject of negative social media campaigns after every disaster by unfriendly foreign governments working to sow discontent and ill will. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025

Overregulation or outright bans risk branding San Diego as business-unfriendly and resistant to future innovation. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unfriendly

• friendly

Kids Definition

unfriendly

adjective

un·​friend·​ly ˌən-ˈfren-(d)lē 

1

: not friendly or kind : hostile

an unfriendly greeting

2

: not agreeable

an unfriendly environment

unfriendliness noun