inimical

[ ih-nim-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful:

   a climate inimical to health.

   Synonyms: noxious

2. unfriendly; hostile:

   a cold, inimical gaze.

   Synonyms: antagonistic

   Antonyms: friendly

inimical

/ ɪˈnɪmɪkəl /

adjective

1. adverse or unfavourable
2. not friendly; hostile

Derived Forms

• inˈimicalness, noun
• inˈimically, adverb

Other Words From

• in·im·i·cal·ly adverb
• in·im·i·cal·ness noun
• in·im·i·cal·i·ty [ih-nim-i-, kal, -i-tee] noun
• un·in·im·i·cal adjective
• un·in·im·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inimical¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin inimīc(us) “unfriendly, hostile” ( enemy ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of inimical¹

C17: from Late Latin inimīcālis, from inimīcus, from in- ¹+ amīcus friendly; see enemy

Synonym Study

See hostile.

Example Sentences

More broadly, a massive and growing media marketing complex culturally "manufactures" modern high-consumption lifestyles, which are inimical to the environment and to human health and well-being.

From Salon

As for those who think there’s something un-American in a wealth tax, they can take up the issue with the Founding Fathers, who considered generationally accumulated wealth to be inimical to a free republic.

From Los Angeles Times

Paradoxically, this sort of love for an animal can be inimical to its welfare.

From Los Angeles Times

As Alexander Hamilton wrote, if the impeachment power is misused it can "agitate the passions of the whole community, and … divide it into parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused."

From Salon

Japan, Australia and India, as inimical to China.

From Reuters

Related Words

• adverse
• destructive
• harmful
• hostile
• injurious
• opposed
• unfavorable
• unfriendly