inimical

adjective

i-ˈni-mi-kəl How to pronounce inimical (audio)
Definition of inimicalnext
1
as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adverse
opposed to one's interests laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished freedoms

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inimical This use of others, far junior to them in rank or status, as human props in a political circus is inimical to the dignity of those who deserve to be acknowledged either in solemn ceremonies at the White House, or anywhere but in public view. — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026 There are few things more inimical to self-reinvention than drinking yourself into the big zip-up bag at age 44. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Or reform of a tax system that is complex, regressive, and inimical to growth. — Anand Menon, Time, 18 Oct. 2025 The spiral of silence therefore becomes inimical to pluralistic debate, discussion and, ultimately, to democracy itself. — James L. Gibson, The Conversation, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inimical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inimical
  1. hostile
  2. adverse
  3. negative
  4. unfavorable
  5. detrimental
  6. harmful
Adjective
  • That night, Lee goes to Ginger’s house to tell her what happened — about his hostile showdown with the rupidoop, about Brawny Dude With the Butter Candies checking out Lee’s van in the Boontill parking lot.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The trip to Leeds is another daunting assignment for United in what is usually a hostile atmosphere.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation says the nationwide average for a review is 16 days, and that 98% of those reviews conclude that the project will have no adverse effect on nearby historic resources.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
  • High prices also a factor But despite positive weather news and whispers of an abundance of crab, other factors could affect prices in adverse ways for consumers.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • To that end, Musk’s average favorability rating — net negative 16 percentage points as of Wednesday, according to Decision Desk HQ — has additionally improved, although only slightly, since July 2025 when his favorability was at its nadir.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The beats create ample negative space for Holden to employ riskier flows, often deploying a double-time pace to burn through technically dense passages.
    — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of negative
Adjective
  • The most egregious perpetrators of fraud in the industry were corrupt doctors who were paid by patients to send insurance companies medical examination reports that omitted unfavorable findings.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Democratic socialism is underwater by 22 points, 37% of Americans are favorable and 59% are unfavorable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • Hyperscalers opine on how detrimental electrical outages are to their business.
    — Drew Robb, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Kennon, who is currently being held in Falkenburg Road Jail, was released from the program due to conduct detrimental to the team, the school said.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of detrimental
Adjective
  • Local government and outside groups have long strived to ban the popular tourist attraction that critics argue is harmful to horses’ well-being.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Waters are becoming cloudier overall, while harmful algal blooms — measured through chlorophyll a levels — are trending in the wrong direction, the report found.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of harmful

Browse Nearby Words

inhuming
inimical
inimitable
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Cite this Entry

“Inimical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inimical. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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