unfriendly

[uhn-frend-lee]

adjective

unfriendlier, unfriendliest 

1. not amicable; not friendly or kindly in disposition; unsympathetic; aloof.

   an unfriendly coldness of manner.

2. hostile; antagonistic.

   an unfriendly act of aggression.

3. unfavorable; inhospitable or inimical, as an environment.

   an unfriendly climate for new ideas.

adverb

1. in an unfriendly manner.

unfriendly

/ ʌnˈfrɛndlɪ /

adjective

1. not friendly; hostile

2. unfavourable or disagreeable

adverb

1. rare,  in an unfriendly manner

Other Word Forms

• unfriendliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfriendly¹

before 900; Middle English (adj.); Old English unfreondlīche (adv.). See un- ¹, friendly

Example Sentences

And in 2024, she was investigated by the police over the tax paid on the sale of her council house, again following a slew of reports by unfriendly newspapers, cheered on by the Conservatives.

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In these five seats, where incumbents will be forced to decide whether to quit or run again in unfriendly terrain, only one situation has been resolved.

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Alford is far from the only Republican member of Congress to face an unfriendly crowd in his own district.

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Within Russia he doesn't often – if ever – come up against unfriendly reporters.

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That said, Anwar’s administration seemed already to be drifting toward China and away from the West even before the latest unfriendly developments emanating from Washington.

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Related Words

• antagonistic 
• chilly 
• combative 
• hateful 
• inhospitable 
• unfavorable