unwelcoming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unwelcoming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a place, atmosphere, or attitude that is not friendly or inviting. Example: "The hotel had an unwelcoming atmosphere, making guests feel uncomfortable during their stay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It had been lashed in the media this year as an Islamic enclave, unwelcoming to outsiders and a hotbed of extremism – but what do residents think?

The Guardian

In private, ministers are desperate to promote growth, and fret about complaints that Britain is unwelcoming to business.

The Economist

This time around, a question asking immigrants how long they intend to remain has been criticised for sounding unwelcoming.

The Economist

Historically their part of Nuristan been unwelcoming to any and all outside influences, foreign or Afghan.This development appears to have been driven inadvertently by the Taliban, at least in part.

The Economist

But now that many women are doing as well or better than men at school, those at the top like the "golden misses"—find the marriage market unwelcoming.

The Economist

One problem is that Malawi seems unwelcoming to foreign investment.

The Economist

Migration rules are off-putting and the political rhetoric unwelcoming.

The Economist

Male and female Hearachs, as the inhabitants are known, look dwarfed by the grassland, lost against the black, unwelcoming shore.

Independent

While Europe has applauded the steady toppling of North Africa's dictators, the continent has been unwelcoming to the thousands of people who have fled the region – the separate states bickering over who should take the responsibility for the refugees' fates.

Independent

The camera keeps nosing into rooms where the locals, plucking on their banjos (try not to think of Deliverance) or hunched over a card-table, will look round whenever a stranger enters, their faces blankly unwelcoming.

Independent

The UK, by contrast, has pledged to take only 20,000 refugees over the next five years, while some European leaders have made statements varying from unwelcoming to hostile.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a place or community, use "unwelcoming" to suggest a lack of effort to make people feel comfortable or accepted.

Common error

While acceptable, consistently using "unwelcoming" may lack nuance. Consider alternatives like "inhospitable" or "hostile" for stronger emphasis, or "uninviting" for a softer tone depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "unwelcoming" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something lacking hospitality or warmth. Ludwig shows it's used to describe places, atmospheres, and people's attitudes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unwelcoming" is a grammatically sound adjective commonly used to describe a lack of hospitality or friendliness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears frequently in news and media, caution is advised against overuse in formal contexts where more nuanced alternatives might be appropriate. Keep in mind that "unwelcoming" suggests a lack of effort in making someone feel comfortable, distinguishing it from similar terms like "uninviting", which centers on a lack of appeal. As Ludwig examples suggest, this word can be applied to physical spaces, behaviors and even entire societies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inhospitable

Emphasizes a lack of warmth and friendliness, often referring to a place or environment.

uninviting

Similar to "unwelcoming" but focuses on the lack of appeal.

unfriendly

A more general term for lacking friendliness or warmth.

hostile

Suggests active opposition or antagonism, stronger than simply lacking welcome.

off-putting

Describes something that discourages or repels people.

cold

A simple and direct term for lacking warmth and friendliness.

chilly

Implies a cold and distant atmosphere.

distant

Implies a lack of emotional connection and warmth.

aloof

Suggests a detached and distant demeanor, creating a feeling of inaccessibility.

unsociable

Describes someone or something that avoids social interaction.

FAQs

How to use "unwelcoming" in a sentence?

You can use "unwelcoming" to describe places, people, or atmospheres that lack hospitality. For example, "The town had an unwelcoming atmosphere" or "His unwelcoming demeanor made it difficult to approach him".

What can I say instead of "unwelcoming"?

You can use alternatives like "inhospitable", "hostile", or "unfriendly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an unwelcoming environment"?

Yes, "an unwelcoming environment" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a place or situation that is not inviting or friendly.

What's the difference between "unwelcoming" and "uninviting"?

"Unwelcoming" suggests a lack of hospitality or a hostile reception, while "uninviting" focuses more on the lack of attractiveness or appeal.