Inimical

adjective

/ɪˈnɪmɪk(ə)l/

Tending to obstruct or harm; hostile, unfavourable, or antagonistic to something, especially to an organisation's interests, well-being, or objectives. In Indian security and governance discourse, 'inimical to national interest' or 'inimical to public order' is a standard legal formulation used in the Arms Act, Official Secrets Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, and constitutional provisions for restricting fundamental rights under Article 19(2)–(6). Courts regularly examine whether a restriction is directed at activities genuinely inimical to a legitimate State aim.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The Supreme Court has consistently held that sedition law under Section 124A IPC — now mirrored in Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — must be applied strictly only to speech that is directly inimical to public order or national security, not to mere criticism of government policies.

Synonyms

hostileantagonisticadverseunfavourableharmfuldetrimental

Antonyms

amicablebeneficialfavourablefriendlysupportive

🌱 Word Family

inimically (adv), enemy (noun, related via French), enmity (noun), amicable (antonymous adj), amity (antonymous noun)

🔡 Root

Latin inimicus = hostile, enemy (in- = not; amicus = friend)

📜 Etymology

From Latin inimicalis (Late Latin) or directly from inimicus 'hostile, unfriendly, an enemy', composed of in- (negative prefix) + amicus 'friend', from amare 'to love'. The same root yields 'enemy' (via Old French enemi) and 'amiable'. First attested in English in the mid-17th century.

🧠 Memory Hook

INIMICAL = IN (not) + AMICAL (from amicus, friend) — literally NOT-FRIENDLY. An inimical force is your enemy (same root as ENEMY). The Latin root amicus gives us AMICABLE (friendly) — so inimical is the precise opposite: enemy-like, working against you.

🏛️ Governance 📖 Seen in: Good Governance — Metrics, Indices & G...

Tip: press Alt+S to hear pronunciation