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
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Recent Examples of unfriendly
Advertisement Both the Democratic Party and its voters are seen as unfriendly toward Christianity.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 16 June 2025
That’s a legitimate way in; lots of Othellos of my experience have treated their guy as forced to play a part that does not come naturally, or to overachieve to fight off the racist snipers with him in the sights of their unfriendly fire.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025
At the same time, she's also had to learn how to handle unfriendly — and sometimes crude — commentary.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 17 June 2025
Mining boosters argued that the deep sea could provide a crucial alternative to terrestrial mineral markets controlled by potentially unfriendly postcolonial governments.
—Time, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Philip Elliott, Time, 16 June 2025
That’s a legitimate way in; lots of Othellos of my experience have treated their guy as forced to play a part that does not come naturally, or to overachieve to fight off the racist snipers with him in the sights of their unfriendly fire.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025
At the same time, she's also had to learn how to handle unfriendly — and sometimes crude — commentary.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 17 June 2025
Mining boosters argued that the deep sea could provide a crucial alternative to terrestrial mineral markets controlled by potentially unfriendly postcolonial governments.
—Time, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
Adjective
-
Gelato is very similar to ice cream, but only relies on milk instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter, icier texture than traditional homemade ice cream.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Five days later, on July 8, an attorney for the city manager submitted a letter of potential claim against the city citing defamation, harassment and creation of a hostile work environment.—
Anita Edmondson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
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In early October 2022, the ruling said, McCarty filed a hostile work environment complaint with the police department.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, the brand that actually popularized the EV, moving it from compliance car and milk float to something desirable, has fallen even further into negative territory in July.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
22 July 2025
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In the early films, there are very negative human examples and very positive Na’vis examples.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
This lunar feature is an enormous basaltic plain, which formed billions of years ago when lava flows flooded gigantic impact basins, before hardening in the frigid space environment.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
-
People were even sharing frigid places to escape the heat.—
Sherry Kuehl,
Kansas City Star,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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These unpredictable, and often downright unfavorable, conditions are already impacting event attendance.—
Shawn Pierce,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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There are other allusions to unfavorable animal traits in humans.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Everyone’s temperature preferences differ—some sleep hot, others cold.—
Alyssa Hui-Anderson,
Verywell Health,
15 July 2025
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For evening or colder climates, go with the Parallel Pant.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The team identified three distinct behavioral phenotypes as a result of their experiments, representing the varying sensitivity of people to the adverse consequences (punishment) of their actions.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
24 July 2025
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Without such data, the systems can serve adverse, false results or fail to understand the context of a user’s query, among other issues.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
The tour included a chilly ice-cool tunnel, set up to mirror the cooling effect of Air 10's Ice Cooling tech.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
16 July 2025
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On a chilly night in April 2023, Charlotte Walker got a text message.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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