adjective

inimical

ih-NIM-ih-kul/ɪˈnɪmɪkl/

Hostile or harmful to someone or something.

Harsh salt spray creates conditions inimical to the tender plant's growth.

A tender plant wilting under harsh salt spray at a coast, hostile conditions harming growth.

Etymology

inLatinnot

+imicLatinfriend

+alLatinrelating to

The underlying image is an “unfriend”: someone with an enemy’s disposition. From personal hostility, the meaning extends to anything adverse or harmful to someone or something.

In context

Center for Strategic & International Studies22:05

these hurdles to much needed investment and trade liberalization are as inimical to India's growth as it is to Market access by Foreign uh by multinational uh companies

U.S.-India Economic Relations: A Reality Check

More examples

The new rules are inimical to small businesses.
She faces an audience inimical to her views.
A culture of secrecy is inimical to public trust.

Forms

inimical

Similar words

hostile: Emphasizes active opposition or unfriendliness rather than harmful effects.
harmful: Emphasizes damage or injury without necessarily suggesting hostility.
adverse: Describes unfavorable conditions or effects, not necessarily personal hostility.