inimical
adjective
in·im·i·cal i-ˈni-mi-kəl 
1
: being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence
forces inimical to democracy
2
a
: having the disposition of an enemy : hostile
inimical factions
b
: reflecting or indicating hostility : unfriendly
his father's inimical glare
inimically
i-ˈni-mi-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Did you know?
In inimical, one finds both a friend and an enemy. The word descends from Latin inimicus, which combines amicus, meaning "friend," with the negative prefix in-, meaning "not." In current English, inimical rarely describes a person, however. Instead, it is generally used to describe forces, concepts, or situations that are in some way harmful or hostile. For example, high inflation may be called "inimical" to economic growth. Inimicus is also an ancestor of enemy, whereas amicus gave English the much more congenial amicable (meaning "friendly" or "peaceful") and amiable (meaning "agreeable" or "friendly").
Synonyms
- adversarial
- adversary
- antagonistic
- antipathetic
- hostile
- inhospitable
- jaundiced
- mortal
- negative
- unfriendly
- unsympathetic
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished freedoms
Recent Examples on the Web Lilly declined to comment on its support of the politicians who passed a law the company thinks is so inimical to its own interests and those of Hoosiers generally. 
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2022 The education provided by the schools at issue here is inimical to a public education. Fox News, 30 June 2022 The education provided by the schools at issue here is inimical to a public education. ... Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2022 The agencies and White House officials said the targets were engaged in actions inimical to U.S. interests, including for assisting China’s surveillance and detention of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic groups in the Xinjiang region. Alex Leary, WSJ, 17 Dec. 2021 The image of the desert that these films have inspired in popular culture is of a place inimical to human life, a landscape that is trying to kill us. Scientific American, 21 Oct. 2021 That inimical Hyper Burst midsole felt the same — what a relief! Scott Douglas, Outside Online, 3 Dec. 2020 Omarova noted that Congress constantly outlaws some banking activities that could theoretically be described as legitimate business dealings, such as money laundering and terrorist financing, to be socially inimical and thus, yes, sub-optimal. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2021 Such a culture is inimical to satisfying the needs of digital business and its customers. Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021 See More
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2022 The education provided by the schools at issue here is inimical to a public education. Fox News, 30 June 2022 The education provided by the schools at issue here is inimical to a public education. ... Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2022 The agencies and White House officials said the targets were engaged in actions inimical to U.S. interests, including for assisting China’s surveillance and detention of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic groups in the Xinjiang region. Alex Leary, WSJ, 17 Dec. 2021 The image of the desert that these films have inspired in popular culture is of a place inimical to human life, a landscape that is trying to kill us. Scientific American, 21 Oct. 2021 That inimical Hyper Burst midsole felt the same — what a relief! Scott Douglas, Outside Online, 3 Dec. 2020 Omarova noted that Congress constantly outlaws some banking activities that could theoretically be described as legitimate business dealings, such as money laundering and terrorist financing, to be socially inimical and thus, yes, sub-optimal. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2021 Such a culture is inimical to satisfying the needs of digital business and its customers. Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus enemy — more at enemy
First Known Use
1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1
inimical
adjective
1
as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hostile
- negative
- adverse
- opposed
- antagonistic
- antipathetic
- inhospitable
- unfavorable
- unfriendly
- adversarial
- contentious
- adversary
- unpleasant
- unsympathetic
- conflicting
- contrary
- mortal
- belligerent
- militant
- jaundiced
- malicious
- disagreeable
- resisting
- combative
- bellicose
- pugnacious
- prejudiced
- distant
- icy
- frigid
- antisocial
- truculent
- unkind
- malignant
- quarrelsome
- vindictive
- malevolent
- malign
- clashing
- rude
- disputatious
- discourteous
- disapproving
- spiteful
- biased
- impolite
- hateful
- virulent
- inconsiderate
- argumentative
- unmannerly
- scrappy
- cold
- uncivil
- unsociable
- surly
- bitter
- rancorous
- impertinent
- cool
- unloving
- opprobrious
- acrimonious
- despiteful
- ill-bred
- ill-mannered
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hospitable
- sympathetic
- friendly
- social
- pleasant
- amiable
- civil
- convivial
- neighborly
- warm
- companionable
- nonhostile
- gracious
- cordial
- amicable
- kind
- sociable
- gregarious
- genial
- affable
- benign
- favorable
- affectionate
- devoted
- comradely
- loving
- nonantagonistic
- agreeable
- sweet
- kindly
- good-natured
- nice
- good-tempered
- accepting
- welcoming
- understanding
- empathetic
- warmhearted
- approving
2
as in unfavorable
opposed to one's interests laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished freedoms Synonyms & Similar Words
- hostile
- unfavorable
- adverse
- negative
- detrimental
- harmful
- destructive
- damaging
- prejudicial
- unfriendly
- threatening
- disadvantageous
- unsympathetic
- dangerous
- bad
- hazardous
- counter
- untoward
- deleterious
- injurious
- baneful
- poisonous
- risky
- opposing
- malignant
- pernicious
- ruinous
- antagonistic
- evil
- noxious
- lethal
- offensive
- antipathetic
- baleful
- unsafe
- perilous
- imperiling
- conflicting
- uncongenial
- troublesome
- inhospitable
- unhealthy
- jeopardizing
- fatal
- hurtful
- murderous
- parlous
- resistant
- intolerant
- resisting
- imperilling
- uncooperative
- ill
- wounding
- counteracting
- defamatory
- slanderous
- detractive
- calumnious
- competing
- countering
- scathing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- favorable
- positive
- advantageous
- friendly
- sympathetic
- beneficial
- supportive
- good
- useful
- propitious
- helpful
- harmless
- innocuous
- innocent
- well-disposed
- inoffensive
- nonthreatening
- benign
- tolerant
- nondestructive
- congenial
- agreeable
- nonlethal
- friendly
- nonfatal
- hospitable
- amiable
- understanding
- unresistant
- benignant
- cordial
- amicable
- affable
- complying