Unfriendly: meaning, definitions and examples

Describes a person or behavior that is not welcoming or kind in general interactions.

• The new neighbor seems unfriendly since he never says hello.
• Her unfriendly attitude made it difficult for others to approach her.

Describes an individual or situation that is openly antagonistic or aggressive. This term often indicates active opposition or enmity and can carry a strong negative connotation.

• The hostile crowd began to shout angrily at the speaker.
• He received a hostile reception from the committee.

Refers to a preference for being alone or having little interaction with others, often due to shyness or personal choice rather than ill-will.

• She is unsociable and prefers to spend her evenings reading rather than going out.
• His unsociable nature made it difficult for him to make friends.

Used to characterize someone who lacks warmth in their interactions and emotional expressions. This term often implies a sense of emotional distance.

• His cold response to her problem made her feel even worse.
• She gave him a cold stare, showing no signs of empathy.

Use this when someone is not kind or pleasant to others, often in social or casual interactions.

• The new neighbor seemed unfriendly and didn't even smile when we greeted her.
• The staff at the café were unfriendly and didn't offer any help.

Appropriate when referring to environments or places that are harsh, difficult to live in, or when people are unwelcoming in a formal or severe manner.

• The desert is an inhospitable place for most plants and animals.
• The host's inhospitable attitude discouraged any future visits.

Suited for describing places, environments, or people that do not offer a friendly or inviting atmosphere.

• The cold, gray office was unwelcoming and made everyone feel uncomfortable.
• Her unwelcoming demeanor made it hard for new members to feel included.

Mention this when someone is unwilling to work with others or to follow instructions, typically in teamwork or collaborative settings.

• The employee was uncooperative during the project, refusing to share information.
• The kids were uncooperative, making it difficult to organize the game.

This word is best used to describe people, environments, or things that are harsh, unwelcoming, or not kind. It can also refer to software and interfaces that are hard to use because they are not user-friendly.

• The new manager is quite unfriendly and hard to approach.
• The software interface is unfriendly and confusing for new users.

This word describes something that requires a lot of effort, skill, or hard work to do, understand, or deal with. It can be applied to tasks, people, or situations.

• The exam was incredibly difficult and many students failed.
• He is a difficult person to work with because he never listens.

Use this word when referring to something that has many intricate parts or is hard to understand due to its complexity. This can apply to situations, systems, technologies, and tasks.

• The instructions for assembling the furniture are very complicated.
• Her relationship with her parents is complicated.

Typically used in contexts involving design, technology, or processes, this word describes something that does not follow expected or normal patterns, making it hard to use or understand without specific instructions.

• The new software update is non-intuitive and hard to navigate.
• The controls for the machine are non-intuitive, requiring extensive training.