Synonyms of inimical

inimical

adjective

i-ˈni-mi-kəl 

1

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will

received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

• hostile
• adverse
• unfavorable
• negative
• detrimental
• harmful
• damaging
• destructive
• prejudicial
• threatening
• unfriendly
• disadvantageous
• bad
• dangerous
• unsympathetic
• counter
• hazardous
• untoward
• risky
• poisonous
• injurious
• deleterious
• malignant
• baneful
• opposing
• pernicious
• offensive
• evil
• lethal
• conflicting
• unsafe
• ruinous
• fatal
• noxious
• troublesome
• baleful
• perilous
• antagonistic
• unhealthy
• hurtful
• murderous
• resistant
• inhospitable
• uncongenial
• ill
• resisting
• intolerant
• defamatory
• uncooperative
• slanderous
• antipathetic
• imperiling
• parlous
• jeopardizing
• scathing
• detractive
• wounding
• competing
• calumnious
• counteracting
• countering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• favorable
• positive
• advantageous
• friendly
• sympathetic
• supportive
• beneficial
• useful
• good
• helpful
• propitious
• harmless
• innocuous
• innocent
• well-disposed
• inoffensive
• nonthreatening
• nondestructive
• benign
• nonfatal
• tolerant
• friendly
• agreeable
• congenial
• hospitable
• amiable
• understanding
• cordial
• nonlethal
• amicable
• complying
• affable
• unresistant
• benignant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inimical

This use of others, far junior to them in rank or status, as human props in a political circus is inimical to the dignity of those who deserve to be acknowledged either in solemn ceremonies at the White House, or anywhere but in public view. — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026

There are few things more inimical to self-reinvention than drinking yourself into the big zip-up bag at age 44. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!