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
When interviewing people that knew Lee and Elaine, our unnamed narrator comes across men complaining about Elaine always being drunk or Lee being unfriendly.
—
Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026
Whitney has been complaining to Conner that Jen has been weirdly unfriendly at the Dancing With the Stars studio.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Vintage dub techno was grimy, barnacle-encrusted, and often user-unfriendly.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
For every place that greets visitors with warmth and joy, there are others where the welcome is cooler, guarded, or even downright unfriendly.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026
Whitney has been complaining to Conner that Jen has been weirdly unfriendly at the Dancing With the Stars studio.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Vintage dub techno was grimy, barnacle-encrusted, and often user-unfriendly.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
For every place that greets visitors with warmth and joy, there are others where the welcome is cooler, guarded, or even downright unfriendly.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfriendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfriendly
Adjective
-
Encounters with whales, dolphins and penguins awaited; landscapes of icy expanses, towering cliffs and rolling green hills beckoned.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
-
Researchers have been concerned that without their icy buttresses, these walls could collapse.—
Megan I. Gannon,
Scientific American,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Being on the road and in a hostile environment is something that Ayton also is looking forward to.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
The race between Jones and Jackson has been incredibly hostile, with both releasing a myriad of attack ads and going after one another in debates.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The country is already carbon-negative, over 70 percent forested (the national constitution requires at least 60 percent to be preserved), and powered almost entirely by hydroelectricity.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
-
Trappings near her home in following months caught a variety of deer mice and white-footed mice, though the rodents tested negative for the virus.—
Eva Flowe
May 6,
Charlotte Observer,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold case investigations and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In Milan, Pietrantoni had just worked with a design studio on an installation with cold lighting, which was drawing interested crowds.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Embiid’s aggressiveness early — along with Tyrese Maxey’s speed and ability to put defenders in bad positions — put the Knicks in unfavorable foul trouble early.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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And into this steps an American pope with a 42% favorable rating and an 8% unfavorable rating, a net favorability 34 points better than the president’s, making the moral case against the very war that is producing the economic pain.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
When the Royals suffered a walk-off loss in Cleveland in frigid temperatures on April 7, India went for a routine dive.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
5 May 2026
-
Ukrainian troops pushed back a ferocious Russian offensive last fall, and their cities survived a frigid winter despite a Russian blitz on energy infrastructure.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The most common adverse effects were jaundice, abdominal pain, and nausea.—
Patricia Weiser,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2026
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As of April 30, no adverse reactions due to the consumption of the breakfast pizzas had been reported.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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This soft, lightweight throw is an easy comfort to keep on a classroom chair for chilly mornings or to use at home after a long day.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
There's a lot to talk about as chilly weather has moved in.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfriendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfriendly. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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