inimical

adjective

in·im·i·cal i-ˈni-mi-kəl

Synonyms of inimical next

: being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence

forces inimical to democracy

: having the disposition of an enemy : hostile

inimical factions

: reflecting or indicating hostility : unfriendly

his father's inimical glare

inimically

i-ˈni-mi-k(ə-)lē

adverb

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In inimical, one finds both a friend and an enemy. The word descends from Latin inimicus, which combines amicus, meaning "friend," with the negative prefix in-, meaning "not." In current English, inimical rarely describes a person, however. Instead, it is generally used to describe forces, concepts, or situations that are in some way harmful or hostile. For example, high inflation may be called "inimical" to economic growth. Inimicus is also an ancestor of enemy, whereas amicus gave English the much more congenial amicable (meaning "friendly" or "peaceful") and amiable (meaning "agreeable" or "friendly").

Examples of inimical in a Sentence

received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished freedoms

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

To believe otherwise is to not just believe that slower periods of economic growth require the very central planning that is so inimical to good times. —

John Tamny, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 Its interests are often inimical to the principles of accountability. —

Ali Riaz, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2024 These ideas have never been taken up by the scientific community as brains are wet and warm, inimical to the formation of superpositions, at least compared to existing quantum computers that operate at temperatures 10,000 times colder than room temperature to avoid destroying superposition states. —

Hartmut Neven, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2024 The Soviet experience left a legacy of resentment and cynicism that was rather inimical to genuine public spirited involvement. —

Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for inimical