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 But the sheer breadth of pre-release ill will it’s accumulated, across such a broad swath of the political spectrum, feels almost impressive. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 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 But the sheer breadth of pre-release ill will it’s accumulated, across such a broad swath of the political spectrum, feels almost impressive. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025 The resulting ill will played no small part in his decision not to run for reelection in 2019. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 20 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
  • Ultimately, restrictions on vacant CPS property sales are part of a broader problem, and that’s education officials’ open hostility toward alternative education models.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • Then a decade of talks crashed into President Trump’s hostility toward Canada.
    — Karen Weise, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Colt has been indicted on 55 felony counts, including four counts of malice murder, according to court documents, and has pleaded not guilty.
    — Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
  • Without it, little remained but his malice, his pettiness, and his insatiable appetite for revenge.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • The daughter of the trickster god Anansi, Abena spent her entire life terrified that her dad would lose her in a bet, and still bears a grudge that the Doctor couldn't take her away.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 May 2025
  • Football folk have memories that would impress elephants and a mafioso’s capacity for holding grudges.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 9 May 2025
Definition of grudge
Noun
  • Is the austerity of her work simply regurgitated cruelty?
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 May 2025
  • His father, Colin Gray, 54, has been indicted on 29 felonies including two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of cruelty to children.
    — Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
Definition of cruelty

Browse Nearby Words

illustriousness
ill will
ill-wisher
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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