Definition for Inimical

From Biology Forums Dictionary

Meaning

Hostile, unfriendly, or harmful.

Sentence

This latest report, like so many earlier ones, found that too great a concern with test scores was inimical to a broad education.

Commentary

The in- with which inimical begins negates the meaning of the root. This word rarely describes a person; instead, it is generally used to describe forces, concepts, or situations. For example, high inflation may be called inimical to economics growth; tolerance of racist comments in an office may be seen as inimical to minorities; and rapid population growth may be inimical to a country's standard of living.