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

But at that point, Drake hadn’t garnered so much ill will with his actions, and Budden didn’t have the popularity to get the masses to veritably revolt. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2024

In her response, Jeffries had no harsh retaliation and expressed no ill will towards such toxic fans. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 20 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ill will

noun

: unfriendly feeling