Inimical — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /i-ˈni-mi-kəl/ in·im·i·cal

Meaning & Definition of Inimical

Inimical (adjective)

  1. being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence
  2. having the disposition of an enemy, hostile
  3. reflecting or indicating hostility, unfriendly

Inimical (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by opposition or ill will

    "received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support"

    similar: adversarial, adversary, antagonistic, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, jaundiced, mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic
    related: adverse, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, clashing, combative, conflicting, contentious, contrary, disputatious, militant, opposed, pugnacious, quarrelsome, resisting, scrappy, truculent, antisocial, cold, cool, disagreeable, disapproving, distant, frigid, icy, biased, prejudiced, discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, surly, uncivil, unfavorable, unkind, unmannerly, unpleasant, unsociable, acrimonious, bitter, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, opprobrious, rancorous, spiteful, unloving, vindictive, virulent
    opposite: friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic
    near: affable, amiable, amicable, civil, companionable, comradely, convivial, cordial, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, gregarious, neighborly, pleasant, sociable, social, warm, affectionate, devoted, kind, kindly, loving, nice, sweet, accepting, agreeable, approving, benign, empathetic, favorable, understanding, warmhearted, welcoming

  2. opposed to one's interests

    "laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished freedoms"

    similar: adverse, counter, disadvantageous, hostile, negative, prejudicial, unfavorable, unfriendly, unsympathetic, untoward
    related: bad, baleful, baneful, evil, damaging, deleterious, destructive, detrimental, fatal, harmful, hurtful, ill, injurious, lethal, malignant, murderous, noxious, pernicious, poisonous, ruinous, threatening, troublesome, unhealthy, wounding, dangerous, hazardous, imperiling, jeopardizing, parlous, perilous, risky, unsafe, calumnious, defamatory, detractive, offensive, scathing, slanderous, antagonistic, antipathetic, inhospitable, intolerant, uncongenial, uncooperative, competing, conflicting, counteracting, countering, opposing, resistant, resisting
    opposite: advantageous, favorable, friendly, positive, supportive, sympathetic, well-disposed
    near: beneficial, good, helpful, propitious, useful, harmless, innocent, innocuous, inoffensive, nondestructive, nonfatal, nonlethal, nonthreatening, unresistant, tolerant, understanding, affable, agreeable, amiable, amicable, benign, benignant, complying, congenial, cordial, friendly, hospitable

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Inimical

The most common words with a similar meaning to Inimical:

adversarial, adversary, antagonistic, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, jaundiced, mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic, adverse, counter, disadvantageous, prejudicial, unfavorable, untoward

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Inimical

Words with the opposite meaning of Inimical:

friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic, advantageous, favorable, positive, supportive, well-disposed

Related Words for Inimical

argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, clashing, combative, conflicting, contentious, contrary, disputatious, militant, opposed, pugnacious, quarrelsome, resisting, scrappy, truculent, antisocial, cold, cool, disagreeable, disapproving, distant, frigid, icy, biased, prejudiced, discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impertinent

Near Antonyms of Inimical

affable, amiable, amicable, civil, companionable, comradely, convivial, cordial, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, gregarious, neighborly, pleasant, sociable, social, warm, affectionate, devoted, kind, kindly, loving, nice, sweet, accepting, agreeable, approving, benign, empathetic

Word Forms of Inimical

Derived words: inimically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Inimical

Late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus enemy enemy

First known use: 1573

Frequently Asked Questions about Inimical

What does "Inimical" mean?

"Inimical" means being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence. As an adjective, it is defined as: being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Inimical"?

Other words for "Inimical" include adversarial, adversary, antagonistic, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, jaundiced and mortal. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Inimical" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Inimical"?

There are 115 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Inimical". Common alternatives include adversarial, adversary, antagonistic, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, jaundiced, mortal, negative and unfriendly.

What is the opposite of "Inimical"?

Antonyms of "Inimical" include friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic, advantageous, favorable and positive. Near antonyms include affable, amiable, amicable and civil.

How do you use "Inimical" in a sentence?

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".

Is "Inimical" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Inimical" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Inimical"?

"Inimical" is pronounced /i-ˈni-mi-kəl/ and divided into syllables as in·im·i·cal.

What is the origin of the word "Inimical"?

"Inimical" comes from Late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus enemy enemy. First known use: 1573.