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

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

He is seen as anti-business — FTSE-100 chairs and chief executives privately express horror at the idea of him as chancellor — and as market-unfriendly because he is viewed as less committed than Reeves to fiscal discipline. — Ian King, CNBC, 15 July 2026

In addition to seeing her unfriendly behavior, the neighbors also made note of a white van constantly parked in Shirley's driveway which was sometimes used to take out furniture. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026