ill will

noun

: unfriendly feeling
Choose the Right Synonym for ill will

malice, malevolence, ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, grudge mean the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress.

malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

Examples of ill will in a Sentence

We bear no ill will toward each other.
Recent Examples on the Web There’s a lot of ill will over AI search’s mistakes and missteps and critics are mobilizing en masse. Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 29 June 2024 Pete Rose felt no ill will toward Bud Harrelson after their famous fight in the 1973 NLCS, the former Reds star told the Daily News Thursday after learning of Harrelson’s death. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2024 Unfortunately, expectations that increased skepticism and ill will toward the regime will result in a revolution are most likely unfounded. Jonathan Corrado, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2016 Instead of letting your ill will completely consume you, a healthier response is to channel it into something more productive, Coleman says. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for ill will 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ill will.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ill will was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ill will

Cite this Entry

“Ill will.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ill%20will. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

ill will

noun
: unfriendly feeling

More from Merriam-Webster on ill will

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