ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›I›inimical
ISEE/SSAThard
inimical
harmful or hostile to something
Synonyms
- hostile
- harmful
- adverse
Antonyms
- helpful
- friendly
- beneficial
inimical in a sentence
The policy was inimical to small local businesses.
The drought was inimical to the survival of young trees.
Where it comes from
From Latin inimicus, meaning 'enemy.'
Memory hook
INIMICAL contains 'enemy' in its history: an inimical force acts like an enemy.
Word parts
- in/im/ir — not, opposite
inimical: in- (not) + imic (friend)
Read it in context
- Waiting by Design Social Science
- The Ninth Spring Nature
- The Late Correction Arts