Sometimes, people aren’t as upfront with their feelings as we’d like them to be.

They might smile and act friendly, but underneath that surface, there’s tension or dislike they’re trying to hide.

It’s not always easy to tell when someone secretly dislikes you, but psychology gives us clues to look out for.

Recognizing these subtle signs can make a big difference in how we approach our relationships—whether it’s at work, with friends, or even in casual interactions.

Understanding where someone really stands with you can help you avoid unnecessary conflict and communicate more effectively.

Here are seven signs someone might secretly dislike you but is covering it up with a smile:

1) They avoid genuine eye contact

Most people instinctively make eye contact when they’re being friendly or open.

It’s one of the most natural ways we connect with others—however, they may struggle to maintain genuine eye contact if they don’t like you.

Instead, they might glance away frequently or avoid looking directly at you for long.

Their eyes often give them away, so pay attention to how often they meet your gaze.

A quick smile followed by darting eyes could mean they’re masking their true feelings.

While it’s not always proof of dislike, it’s a subtle sign worth considering, especially if it happens consistently.

2) Their compliments feel insincere

Have you ever received a compliment that just didn’t sit right?

I remember once showing a colleague a project I’d worked really hard on.

They smiled and said, “Wow, that’s… interesting,” in a tone so flat it felt like they were reading from a script.

Something about the way they said it made me feel like they were just checking a box rather than genuinely appreciating my effort.

According to Carl Rogers, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, “What is most personal is most universal.”

In other words, authentic interactions tend to come from a place of sincerity that we can all recognize.

When someone secretly dislikes you, their compliments often lack that personal touch—they feel vague, generic, or even backhanded.

If someone’s praise feels forced or hollow, it might not be your imagination.

While not every awkward compliment is a sign of dislike, repeated insincerity could indicate they’re masking their true feelings behind polite words.

3) They subtly exclude you from conversations

Let’s be real—being left out sucks.

I’ve been in situations where I was standing right there, part of the group, but somehow, the conversation would flow around me like I wasn’t even there.

They’d laugh at inside jokes I wasn’t part of or steer the chat toward topics they knew I had no input on.

It stings, especially when it’s clear it’s not accidental.

Exclusion taps into our deep need to belong.

When someone secretly dislikes you, they may not outright ignore you—that would be too obvious—but instead, they’ll find subtle ways to leave you out.

It might look like cutting you off mid-sentence, not acknowledging your contributions, or shifting their focus entirely to someone else; it’s their way of keeping you at arm’s length without openly showing their hand.

Let’s be honest—it hurts more when it’s done with a smile.

4) Their body language doesn’t match their words

Have you ever been in a conversation where someone’s words said one thing, but their body screamed something else?

I’ve had moments where a person was telling me, “Oh, that’s great!” but their crossed arms, stiff posture, or forced smile told a completely different story.

It’s subtle, but once you start noticing it, it’s hard to ignore.

Psychologist Albert Mehrabian, famous for his research on nonverbal communication, found that body language and tone make up the majority of how we communicate.

A person’s  nonverbal cues might betray them as they may lean away from you, avoid mirroring your gestures, or seem physically tense—even when their words sound polite.

It’s not always easy to catch these signs in the moment, but when someone’s body language feels disconnected from what they’re saying, it’s worth paying attention.

Sometimes the truth is hiding in plain sight—in the way they stand, move, or even how they hold their smile.

5) They’re overly agreeable with you

This one might surprise you.

Sometimes, when someone secretly dislikes you, they’ll go out of their way to agree with everything you say.

No pushback, no differing opinions—just constant nodding and smiling.

At first, it can feel like they’re being supportive, but over time, it starts to feel… off.

Genuine relationships involve healthy disagreement and honest input; when that’s missing, something’s not quite right.

They may avoid any form of confrontation or vulnerability; instead, they hide behind excessive agreeableness to keep interactions short and surface-level.

Essentially, it’s counterintuitive because we often associate agreement with positivity.

However, if someone agrees with everything you say—never challenging ideas or adding meaningful input—it could be their way of keeping distance while pretending to maintain harmony.

6) They give you backhanded compliments

You know that moment when someone says something nice, but it leaves you feeling worse?

Like the time a coworker told me, “Wow, you’re so brave for wearing that outfit.” I smiled politely, but inside, I couldn’t help but feel the sting.

Backhanded compliments are one of the subtlest ways people reveal hidden dislike—they get to mask criticism as kindness while still taking a jab at you.

Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, once said, “Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength.”

But often, people who dislike you will target those vulnerabilities in sneaky ways.

A backhanded compliment allows them to seem supportive on the surface while subtly undermining you; it’s a form of passive-aggression that’s hard to call out without looking overly sensitive.

True support uplifts—it doesn’t leave you feeling small.

7) They act differently around you in group settings

Have you ever noticed someone treating you one way when it’s just the two of you, but the moment others are around, their attitude shifts?

I’ve been in situations where a person was perfectly polite and friendly one-on-one, but in a group, they’d suddenly crack sarcastic jokes at my expense or ignore me altogether.

It’s confusing and, honestly, pretty hurtful.

When someone secretly dislikes you, the mask can slip in group settings because social dynamics add pressure—they might feel emboldened to let their true feelings show or use the group as cover for subtle digs.

If someone’s behavior toward you changes drastically depending on the audience, it’s worth paying attention.

That inconsistency often reveals more than their polite smile ever could.