inimical to

USAGE SUMMARY

"inimical to" is an acceptable and common phrase in English.
It is used to indicate hostility or opposition towards something. For example, "His actions were inimical to our efforts to create positive change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such alliances were inimical to McEwan's wife.

The New Yorker

The ISI has become inimical to Pakistani and American interests.

The New York Times

Islam is often held up as inimical to economic progress.

The Economist

First, they claimed that a "culture" inimical to women existed.

The Economist

That would be inimical to the internet's protean nature.

The Economist

But competition can also be inimical to friendship.

The New Yorker

It's clearly inimical to the British way of life.

The Guardian - Opinion

That, of course, would be inimical to press freedom.

The Guardian

Attempts to limit competition are treated as inimical to liberty.

The Guardian - Books

Who said cotton mills were inimical to culture?

The Guardian - Books

Taxation without comprehension is as inimical to democracy as taxation without representation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inimical to", ensure the subject it modifies is clearly defined. For example, specify what exactly is "inimical to" progress or success.

Common error

While "inimical to" is widely accepted, it's a more formal expression. In casual writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "harmful to" or "bad for" to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inimical to" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating that something is harmful, unfavorable, or acts in opposition to the modified element. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in expressing opposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inimical to" is a frequently used phrase that signifies something harmful or adverse. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts solidify its place in formal English. While simpler alternatives exist, "inimical to" offers a nuanced way to express opposition or detriment, particularly in writing. As confirmed by Ludwig, its presence in news, scientific literature, and formal business communication indicates a preference for this phrase when precision and a degree of formality are desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detrimental to

Emphasizes the harmful or damaging aspect.

harmful to

A more direct and common way to express causing harm.

adverse to

Highlights the unfavorable or opposing nature.

contrary to

Focuses on being in opposition or disagreement with something.

opposed to

Indicates direct resistance or antagonism.

antagonistic to

Suggests active hostility or conflict.

unfavorable to

Emphasizes the lack of support or benefit.

prejudicial to

Highlights the potential for bias or unfairness.

destructive to

Focuses on the damaging and ruinous effects.

incompatible with

Highlights the lack of harmony or consistency.

FAQs

What does "inimical to" mean?

"Inimical to" means harmful, unfavorable, or tending to obstruct or harm. It suggests something is adverse or hostile to another thing.

How can I use "inimical to" in a sentence?

You can use "inimical to" to describe something that is harmful or obstructive to something else. For example, "The new policy is "detrimental to" our progress."

What are some alternatives to "inimical to"?

Alternatives to "inimical to" include "harmful to", "detrimental to", "adverse to", and "contrary to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "inimical to" a formal expression?

Yes, "inimical to" is considered a formal expression. In less formal contexts, you might prefer using alternatives like "harmful" or "bad for".