ill will

noun

Definition of ill willnext
as in hostility
an unfriendly feeling; a feeling of dislike We bear no ill will toward each other.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ill will differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ill will are grudge, malevolence, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

Where would grudge be a reasonable alternative to ill will?

Although the words grudge and ill will have much in common, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is malevolence a more appropriate choice than ill will?

The synonyms malevolence and ill will are sometimes interchangeable, but malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When is it sensible to use malice instead of ill will?

While the synonyms malice and ill will are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When would malignity be a good substitute for ill will?

The words malignity and ill will are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

When can spite be used instead of ill will?

In some situations, the words spite and ill will are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

When might spleen be a better fit than ill will?

The meanings of spleen and ill will largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ill will Garland was also uninjured, and bore no ill will. —Carol Schram, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 The insider added that Wallen hadn't put thought into his actions and how others would respond, emphasizing that there's no ill will between him and the show amid any speculation of drama. —Marina Watts, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025 Orioles right-hander Albert Suárez bears no ill will over losing out the No. 5 starter job to Cade Povich. —Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025 While there might be ill will between the two fanbases, there certainly isn’t any animosity between the two teams. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ill will
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill will
  1. hostility
  2. malice
  3. grudge
  4. cruelty
Noun
  • Stolarz’s inclination to shout instructions at teammates on the ice, often with serious levels of hostility in the name of competition, comes to him naturally.
    — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Datta writes that Indians had faced violent treatment at the hands of Japanese forces, even if the Chinese community bore the brunt of the Japanese hostility.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Slightly off-topic comments can derail it so far away from the original point, and it isn't always done with malice.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • To borrow another logical principle, Hanlon's razor: Don't ascribe to malice that which can be otherwise explained by rank incompetence.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • An armed man accused of walking into a Walgreens location in California and shooting an employee to death this week allegedly had a grudge against corporate pharmacies, police said.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Theater owners gathered inside the Colosseum Theater at Caesar’s Palace on Monday didn’t seem to hold any grudges, and gave a warm welcome to the exec.
    — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of grudge
Noun
  • Woodland police detectives on Tuesday arrested Christian Jacobo, 22, on suspicion of murder and willful cruelty toward a child causing death, police officials said in a Friday news release.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • But what’s even creepier is Remmick’s invitation to the holdouts to join them, promising an escape from dehumanizing cruelty into a fellowship that offers an eternal life of freedom and enlightenment.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of cruelty

Browse Nearby Words

illustriousness
ill will
ill-wisher
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Cite this Entry

“Ill will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill%20will. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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