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inimical

[ ih-nim-i-kuhl ]
/ ɪˈnɪm ɪ kəl /
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See synonyms for: inimical / inimicality on Thesaurus.com

adjective
adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful: a climate inimical to health.
unfriendly; hostile: a cold, inimical gaze.
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Also in·im·i·ca·ble [ih-nim-i-kuh-buhl] /ɪˈnɪm ɪ kə bəl/ .

Origin of inimical

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin inimīc(us) “unfriendly, hostile” (see enemy) + -al1

synonym study for inimical

2. See hostile.

OTHER WORDS FROM inimical

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH inimical

inimical , inimitable
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inimical in a sentence

  • They made the mistake of supposing the interests of the merchant, artisan, and mechanic were also inimicable.

    A Spoil of Office|Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for inimical

inimical
/ (ɪˈnɪmɪkəl) /

adjective
adverse or unfavourable
not friendly; hostile

Derived forms of inimical

inimically, adverbinimicalness or inimicality, noun

Word Origin for inimical

C17: from Late Latin inimīcālis, from inimīcus, from in- 1 + amīcus friendly; see enemy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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