Synonyms of unfriendly

unfriendly

adjective

ˌən-ˈfren(d)-lē 

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

• icy
• cold
• frigid
• chilly
• cool
• brittle
• reserved
• arctic
• chill
• unsympathetic
• frozen
• clammy
• glacial
• frosty
• detached
• antiseptic
• wintry
• coldish
• uncaring
• cold-blooded
• uncordial
• gelid
• pitiless
• hard-eyed
• unresponsive
• heartless
• cold-eyed
• uninterested
• indifferent
• soulless
• unenthusiastic
• unfeeling
• standoffish
• unemotional
• aloof
• apathetic
• impersonal
• undemonstrative
• antisocial
• coldhearted
• bloodless
• hard-hearted
• unsociable
• dispassionate
• offish
• unsocial
• kindless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friendly
• warm
• sympathetic
• happy
• cordial
• genial
• kind
• hearty
• compassionate
• emotional
• warmhearted
• expressive
• warm-blooded
• enthusiastic
• eager
• demonstrative
• kindhearted
• passionate

2

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will

an unfriendly nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unfriendly

Pittsburg State’s Bid Day activities took place last Friday in late afternoon, which meant the balloons had to be installed during the unfriendly heat of the day. — Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

But although nearly half the region’s population is under age 18, its cities are often unfriendly places to grow up – crowded, poorly planned, and unsafe. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026

It’s commonly seen as too loud, too expensive, too unhealthy, too environmentally unfriendly, and an unnecessary eyesore that requires a lot of red tape between landlords and city permits to procure. — Morgan Simon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Those looking to kick a ball around or do anything at all have been forced indoors thanks to an unfriendly yellow and orange haze that’s coated the skies. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026