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 of inhospitable

• 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

Around a well, beneath a mulberry tree, or at a table crowded with food and strangers, the landscape that seemed so stark and inhospitable reveals an unexpected generosity, preserved in the rituals of those who continue to make the journey here. — Avantika Chaturvedi, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

The scene makes Holmes and Evans look extremely inhospitable. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026

Here was a small civilization, an oasis in the inhospitable desert, surrounded on all sides by mountains. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026

There's still some stuff worth adding to your watchlist, though, including a new celebrity reality competition with a Mafia twist and a pair of thrillers located in inhospitable locations. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

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