inimical
Working against you
Inimical means hostile or harmful—working against someone's interests.
An inimical environment threatens survival or success.
Inimical forces oppose you.
The word is formal, appearing more in written than spoken English: The new regulations proved inimical to small business.
Unlike hostile, which suggests active aggression, inimical often describes conditions or circumstances that are simply unfavorable.
Actively opposed or hostile
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- antipatheticStrongly opposed by nature
malevolent · contentious · acrimonious · rancorous · vitriolic · spiteful · vindictive · pugnacious
Causing harm or damage
- damagingCausing loss or injury
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- deleteriousCausing harm or damage
- perniciousGradually and subtly harmful
destructive · ruinous · noxious · hurtful · baneful · baleful · counterproductive · prejudicial
Harmful or opposed
- unpropitiousNot favorable for success
- inauspiciousShowing poor prospects
- contraryOpposed in nature
- opposedAgainst something stated
unconducive · inhospitable · unsuitable · incompatible · discordant · conflicting · antithetical · at odds
Hostile opponent
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
rival · opposition · detractor · aggressor · assailant · combatant · challenger · ill-wisher
antagonistic
Actively opposed or hostile
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
antipathetic · malevolent · contentious · acrimonious · rancorous · vitriolic · spiteful · vindictive · pugnacious · bellicose
detrimental
Causing harm or damage
- damagingCausing loss or injury
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- deleteriousCausing harm or damage
pernicious · destructive · ruinous · noxious · hurtful · baneful · baleful · counterproductive · prejudicial · disadvantageous
adverse
Harmful or opposed
- unpropitiousNot favorable for success
- inauspiciousShowing poor prospects
- contraryOpposed in nature
opposed · unconducive · inhospitable · unsuitable · incompatible · discordant · conflicting · antithetical · at odds · ill-suited
foe
Hostile opponent
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- antagonistOne who opposes another
nemesis · rival · opposition · detractor · aggressor · assailant · combatant · challenger · ill-wisher
- hostile attitudeshostile, aggressive, combative, belligerent, confrontational
- unfriendlyhostile, cold, cool, distant, frosty
inimicalfriendly
Showing kindness, warmth
amicable · hospitable · cordial · warm · welcoming
inimicalfavorable
Inclined toward approval
beneficial · favourable · advantageous · helpful · conducive