1
as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adverse
opposed to one's interests
laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished freedoms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inimical
For one, the United States would be in a stronger position to prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank, a move that is inimical to U.S. interests and Palestinian rights.
—
Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Or reform of a tax system that is complex, regressive, and inimical to growth.
—Anand Menon, Time, 18 Oct. 2025
The spiral of silence therefore becomes inimical to pluralistic debate, discussion and, ultimately, to democracy itself.
—James L. Gibson, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
The partnership model’s annual distribution of funds is inimical to long-term investment.
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inimical
Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Or reform of a tax system that is complex, regressive, and inimical to growth.
—Anand Menon, Time, 18 Oct. 2025
The spiral of silence therefore becomes inimical to pluralistic debate, discussion and, ultimately, to democracy itself.
—James L. Gibson, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
The partnership model’s annual distribution of funds is inimical to long-term investment.
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inimical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inimical
Adjective
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Handling a hostile environment Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle said his team knew what to expect from Bobcat Ballpark.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
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Brasília was built from scratch, in the middle of nowhere, in the hostile climate of the Cerrado—a savanna-like biome—hundreds of miles from any highway, railway, or airport.—
Sophia La Banca,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Honeycutt noted that the executive order came just days before the House Agriculture Committee was considering a five-year farm bill that would shield manufacturers from litigation related to adverse health impacts when the chemicals are used in accordance with federal law.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
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Short-term exposure by inhalation can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue respiratory irritation and other adverse health effects, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Their advocacy reflects a growing consensus that social media’s negative effects on kids’ mental health and social lives outweigh the benefits.—
Ramesh Ponnuru,
Washington Post,
12 Mar. 2026
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Average negative evaluation stood at 67 percent.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Republican Party has similarly bleak numbers, with 51% of respondents expressing an unfavorable view.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Lodaya noted his previous reservations for Westlake, as well as the broad ethylene sector, included a shrinking ethane advantage and unfavorable polyethylene supply-demand dynamics.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In an interview, Price framed the legislation as detrimental to public schools in Kansas City and across the state.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
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Others feared that the possible ICE detention center would be detrimental to the region’s booming tourism industry, which employs thousands of immigrant workers.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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When asked about Trump’s immigration policies — which have been controversial and are viewed by some Venezuelan residents as harmful to their community — Rodriguez first expressed support.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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As these processes unfold, the nuclear pore is also blocking things that don’t belong, such as harmful enzymes or misfolded RNAs.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inimical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inimical. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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