1. very unfavorable to life or growth - a hostile climate - an uncongenial atmosphere - an uncongenial soil - the unfriendly environment at high altitudes • Syn: hostile, unfriendly • Similar to: inhospitable 2. not suitable to your tastes or needs - the uncongenial roommates were always fighting - the task was uncongenial to one sensitive to rebuffs • Syn: incompatible • Ant: congenial • Similar to: disagreeable, unsympathetic • See Also: incompatible, unfriendly, unsympathetic • Derivationally related forms: incompatibility (for: incompatible), uncongeniality 3. used of plant stock or scions; incapable of being grafted • Similar to: incompatible