unfriendly

[uhn-frend-lee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unfriendly ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, un·friend·li·er, un·friend·li·est.

not amicable; not friendly or kindly in disposition; unsympathetic; aloof: an unfriendly coldness of manner.

hostile; antagonistic: an unfriendly act of aggression.

unfavorable; inhospitable or inimical, as an environment: an unfriendly climate for new ideas.

adverb

in an unfriendly manner.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of unfriendly

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

Related formsun·friend·li·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unfriendly

One of her most pointed criticisms is that people on the folk scene weren't as unfriendly as the film paints them.
Why No Oscar Love For 'Inside Llewyn Davis'?|Tim Teeman|January 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Just how unfriendly are Republicans to the idea of changing the law for unions now?
Obama’s Labor Pains: Unions Rage Against the Affordable Care Act|Patricia Murphy|September 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And the second is that government agencies have a tendency to be unfriendly to groups that are unfriendly to them.
Yes, What Happened at the IRS is a Scandal|Megan McArdle|May 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They warned prisoners of upcoming searches of their cells by unfriendly colleagues.
Can Maryland Clean Up Out-of-Control Baltimore Jail Corruption?|David Freedlander|April 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The channels ignored the deputies, and one outlet even aired a show called Apocalypse: Unfriendly Universe several times a week.
Russians Prepare for World’s End, Buy Candles and Vodka|Anna Nemtsova|December 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
With the Luxemburger 411as with the Bavarian, Edward's relations were unfriendly.
The History of England|T.F. Tout
On all sides was a vast wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and unfriendly Indians.
Four American Naval Heroes|Mabel Beebe
The French Government had been warned long before that an invasion of this region would be regarded as an Pg 727 unfriendly act.
A History of England|Charles Oman
Also he had heard that the ranchers were unfriendly to those who bought land from the company.
Desert Conquest|A. M. Chisholm
About themselves they are naturally taciturn, and public and unfriendly criticism has been proved to be a hazardous diversion.
Sergeant York And His People|Sam Cowan

British Dictionary definitions for unfriendly

unfriendly

adjective -lier or -liest

not friendly; hostile

unfavourable or disagreeable

adverb

rare in an unfriendly manner

Derived Formsunfriendliness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for unfriendly

unfriendly

adj.

early 15c., "not characteristic of friends," from un- (1) "not" + friendly. Cf. Middle Dutch onvriendelijc, Middle High German unvriuntlich, German unfreundlich. Meaning "hostile, inimical" is recorded from late 15c. Related: Unfriendliness.