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

Accountability is certainly a cornerstone of democracy, but there’s no question this recall referendum effort has brought its share of drama, social media sparring and ill will to a community that has plenty of other things to contend with. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

The outcome of litigation often is a great expense and has reverberations of ill will for years to come. — Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 2 Oct. 2026

That means if a trade war squeezes household spending, disrupts supply chains or generates ill will among local constituencies, there’s a chance the NHL (and at least 10 clubs) feels the pinch. — Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Alonso isn’t returning to Flushing with any ill will, only gratitude. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ill will

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

Kids Definition

ill will

noun

: unfriendly feeling