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
The consumer interest is in contrast to broader trends in the fashion industry, which has grown increasingly unfriendly to fur.
—
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
Kauffman Stadium is notoriously unfriendly to home run hitters—a product of its cavernous outfield and prevailing wind patterns—and the team recently deputized assistant GM Daniel Mack to study what an adjustment might look like.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Jan. 2026
A lot of unfriendly individuals out there, a lot of violence against ICE and Border Patrol.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
An annual January ritual, as Illinois lawmakers gather in Springfield to begin a new legislative session, is the search for another basket of politically safe but invariably business- and citizen-unfriendly tax and fee increases to support their bloated government bureaucracies.
—Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
Kauffman Stadium is notoriously unfriendly to home run hitters—a product of its cavernous outfield and prevailing wind patterns—and the team recently deputized assistant GM Daniel Mack to study what an adjustment might look like.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Jan. 2026
A lot of unfriendly individuals out there, a lot of violence against ICE and Border Patrol.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
An annual January ritual, as Illinois lawmakers gather in Springfield to begin a new legislative session, is the search for another basket of politically safe but invariably business- and citizen-unfriendly tax and fee increases to support their bloated government bureaucracies.
—Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
Adjective
-
The rubber insole and bottom make for stable traction on icy and slushy surfaces, too.—
Olivia Dubyak,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The program put on by the Star Tribune held a four-hour session for local journalists, which included hostile environment awareness and first aid training designed to help students make informed decisions about safety while reporting in volatile situations.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Three former employees who worked under Carol Johnson, Austin’s first Civil Rights Officer, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday alleging racial discrimination, retaliation and a hostile work environment within the city’s Office of Civil Rights.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Ware finished the defeat with a negative plus/minus of minus 12.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But his moves did little to stem the flow of negative headlines.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Temperatures could repeatedly drop well below seasonal averages, with some cold snaps 20 to 30 degrees colder than normal, forecasts suggest.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
-
His family-run nursery specializes in growing cold-hardy citrus trees.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The fear here was due in part because Marathon had its last alpha decimated by ARC Raiders, dropping its own public test right on top of it this past summer, one that went far better and made Marathon look unfavorable in comparison.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
In 2021, the startup agreed to merge with a SPAC led by Gerry Cardinale and Billy Beane but ended up calling off the deal a year later, citing unfavorable market conditions.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The polar vortex, a ring of high-altitude winds, weakens, splits, or reverses as a result of this event, allowing frigid cold Arctic air to move southward into North America and Europe, according to the National Weather Service.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Sunday will see a frigid start with temperatures potentially dipping to below 0°.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Affected cosmetics that are applied to the skin or eyes may lead to skin irritation, infection, or other adverse reactions.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Even for women whose initial mammograms didn’t show any calcium buildup and were considered low risk, risk of an adverse cardiac incident increased by 41% if buildup was detected on followups.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether it's been a few days or a few years, a forkful of liver and onions will always deliver a dose of nostalgia—after all, this was the recipe so many Southern grandmas made to keep warm and fortified on an unseasonably chilly day.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The light wooden furniture, cosy space and Mediterranean menu offers a pleasant respite from the chilly damp of London’s winter.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
