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 wild ocean is increasingly unfriendly to reef-building corals, as waters warm and storms become more powerful.
—
Benji Jones, Vox, 4 Feb. 2025
Although almost certain to be overturned in the courts, the action showed he, and the state, are unfriendly toward tech freedom.
—John Seiler, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2025
Capys, who are often suspicious of interlopers like me, can also be unfriendly with members of their own species who are not part of their family group.
—Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Russia’s claim relates to a broader concern that the U.S. has essentially ignored unfriendly provisions in the treaty—such as oversight requirements—while exploiting advantageous ones, such as formulas for shelf expansion.
—Jack Truesdale, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Benji Jones, Vox, 4 Feb. 2025
Although almost certain to be overturned in the courts, the action showed he, and the state, are unfriendly toward tech freedom.
—John Seiler, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2025
Capys, who are often suspicious of interlopers like me, can also be unfriendly with members of their own species who are not part of their family group.
—Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Russia’s claim relates to a broader concern that the U.S. has essentially ignored unfriendly provisions in the treaty—such as oversight requirements—while exploiting advantageous ones, such as formulas for shelf expansion.
—Jack Truesdale, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
Adjective
-
Her makeup, too, was equally icy, with a metallic silvery-white shadow brushed under her brow as a highlight and dramatic black eyeliner winged all the way out to the outer corner of her brows, plus a pair of light blue-gray contacts enhanced by majorly fluttery, lush lashes.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 Dec. 2024
-
White cautioned those traveling north of Indianapolis this weekend, however, should be mindful of potentially snowier, icier road conditions.—
Christopher Cann,
The Indianapolis Star,
27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The set-up has grown increasingly hostile over time, and became an impassible roadblock when the Lerner family tried to sell the Nationals back in 2022.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Prince overcame the hostile environment and kept TCU afloat during the first quarter when the Horned Frogs struggled to find their footing offensively.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Studies show that low self-concept clarity—when individuals lack a clear and stable understanding of themselves—is linked to various negative psychological outcomes like higher levels of anxiety, depression and loneliness as well as less satisfying relationships.—
Dale Whelehan,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
-
In the first two seasons, the panel tried not to comment on anything negative.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Blue Ghost also plans to capture high-definition imagery of a total eclipse as the Earth blocks the sun just before a lunar sunset ushers in frigid lunar night on March 16.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
-
After weeks of frigid temperatures and wintry conditions, the Baltimore region is finally getting a break with warmer weather likely for the rest of this week.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
These unfavorable political circumstances for Hochul would seem to set up a primary challenge from the left, the traditional path to denying incumbent officeholders renomination in Democratic primaries.—
David Mark,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Amid a slew of unfavorable sports outcomes in last year’s fourth quarter, Flutter projects U.S. quarterly revenues of $1.59 billion.—
Matt Rybaltowski,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
South of the Arctic’s polar vortex is the jet stream, a river of west to east air that flows five to nine miles above ground, and helps keep the pole’s cold air confined to the Arctic.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
-
But as the lingerie giant negotiates around a more cautious consumer, colder weather and tariff uncertainty out of the Trump White House, Hillary Super’s longer-term plans are coming into focus.—
Evan Clark,
WWD,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Environmental groups have long opposed the new reservoir and objected to a shorter judicial review, saying the project will release unacceptable amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas, into the air in addition to other adverse impacts.—
Ari Plachta,
Sacramento Bee,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The advertisements also are subject to content restrictions, including no profanity, violence, firearms or material adverse to the city’s commercial interests.—
Devan Patel,
The Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The hotel’s in-house Palace Sports & Rentals features a ski room with heated lockers, a convenient way to start and end a chilly day.—
Alexandra Cheney,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Pascal Plante’s chilly Quebecois techno-thriller isn’t about content moderation per se, but its descent-into-hell structure is — intentionally or not — mimicked here.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share