behaving towards someone in a way that shows you are not interested in them or are not ready to talk to them or help them: · The hotel staff were unfriendly and unhelpful.· an unfriendly tone of voice· They didn't seem very friendly to strangers.· She gave him an unfriendly glance.
►hostile
very unfriendly, and ready to argue or fight: · He was openly hostile towards me when I arrived.· A hostile crowd gathered outside the US embassy.
►cold
behaving towards other people as if you do not like them or care about them: · He gave her a cold stare.· a cold voice
►frosty
unfriendly, especially because you are angry with someone: · When she spoke, her tone was frosty.· He got a frosty reception from his wife when he finally returned home (=she was not very friendly towards him).
►aloof
[not before noun] not wanting to talk to other people or spend time with them, especially because you think you are better than them: · Some politicians are criticized for being too aloof.
►antagonistic
unfriendly and always trying to start arguments with someone: · Why are Kate and John so antagonistic towards each other?
►antisocial
not interested in meeting other people or forming friendly relationships with them: · Sorry if I'm being antisocial, but I need to get my work done.· He was an antisocial loner with no friends.
►bashful
shy and not willing to say very much
►self-conscious
worried and embarrassed about what you look like or what other people think of you
►timid
not brave or confident
►reserved
not liking to express your emotions or talk about your problems
►introverted
thinking a lot about your own interests, problems etc, and not liking to be with other people
►withdrawn
quiet and not wanting to talk to other people, especially because you are unhappy
►antisocial
not liking to meet people and talk to them
►retiring
formal not wanting to be with other people
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY►antisocial behaviour
She was finding it hard to cope with her son’s increasingly antisocial behaviour.
►antisocial hours
I got fed up with the low pay and antisocial hours.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES►antisocial behaviour
· antisocial behaviour such as spitting and swearing in public
1antisocial behaviour is violent or harmful to other people, or shows that you do not care about other people: She was finding it hard to cope with her son’s increasingly antisocial behaviour. Smoking is an antisocial habit.► see thesaurus at unfriendly2someone who is antisocial does not enjoy meeting or being with other peopleOPP sociable: If I don’t go tonight, everyone will accuse me of being antisocial.► see thesaurus at shy3an activity or job that is antisocial does not give you the chance to meet other peopleSYN unsocial: I got fed up with the low pay and antisocial hours.