1
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling
the unfriendly looks quickly warmed when we were recognized as long-unseen relatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
an unfriendly nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in negative
opposed to one's interests
the claim that the state's numerous regulations create a climate unfriendly to small businesses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unfriendly
Greg-Gary What a relief to find that our unfriendly neighborhood wife killer could be reasonable here.
—
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Bottom line Let’s eyeball all 10 years, noting numerous complaints about California’s unfriendly business climate.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025
On his first trip to the Holy See, Francis’ unsmiling welcome was seen as frigid and unfriendly; both encounters were markedly brief.
—Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025
Most Americans do continue to see Russia as unfriendly or an enemy.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Bottom line Let’s eyeball all 10 years, noting numerous complaints about California’s unfriendly business climate.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025
On his first trip to the Holy See, Francis’ unsmiling welcome was seen as frigid and unfriendly; both encounters were markedly brief.
—Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025
Most Americans do continue to see Russia as unfriendly or an enemy.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
Adjective
-
Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The relationship between Ye and Cole has been icy for some time.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s aggressive targeting of major law firms, many of which have advocated liberal policy positions and clients, also marks a striking new front in his second-term legal battles, as the administration pressures firms seen as politically hostile or unwilling to back its agenda.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 May 2025
-
Russia will accrue enormous economic benefits if the United States facilitates its reentry into the world economy, generating revenue that will go directly to rebuilding its military, funding hostile intelligence operations and propping up a regime that’s never far from its next military adventure.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Nevertheless, the company foresees a negative effect of roughly $2 billion due to challenges from foreign currency translation in this quarter.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The financial services firm JPMorgan now forecasts negative U.S. growth in the second half of 2025, while projecting that China’s official growth will slip to 4.6 percent.—
Zongyuan Zoe Liu,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Led by superstar Kyle Tucker, the lineup features power, speed and athleticism, a combination that has allowed the Cubs to win close games in frigid weather, beat good pitchers and blow teams out of Wrigley Field.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The spacecraft will then embark on an almost seven-year-long voyage through deep space to the Saturn system, with the goal of spending more than three years studying areas across Titan's frigid and diverse surface.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
If this leads to an acquittal, and to unfavorable comparisons to O. J. Simpson’s lawyers, Steel is unlikely to care.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Further, parental reaction to the plan has also been unfavorable.—
Savanah Jackson,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
South of the border: 'Too scary' U.S. industries are already feeling a cold wind from up north.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
In colder regions, plants can be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors as a houseplant.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sometimes this can be dangerous and cause serious adverse effects.—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2025
-
The result is potential adverse effects on the health, cognition, and well-being of older users and missed opportunities for support.—
Diana Spehar,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Mornings can be chilly, afternoons can be warm, and cave tours can be downright cold.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
-
The poll also found chilly feelings toward DOGE’s cuts to the federal government among Peach State voters.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share