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
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.
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 Celebrity News The internet suspects some ill will between the two lifestyle mavens. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ill will

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

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Cite this Entry

“Ill will.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ill%20will. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

ill will

noun
: unfriendly feeling

More from Merriam-Webster on ill will

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