ill-natured

adjective

ill-na·​tured ˈil-ˈnā-chərd 

1

: having a bad disposition : cross, surly

an ill-natured man

2

: malevolent, spiteful

an ill-natured remark

ill-naturedly adverb

Synonyms of ill-natured

• irritable
• angry
• disagreeable
• cantankerous
• bilious
• splenetic
• dyspeptic
• ornery
• ill-humored
• exasperated

Examples of ill-natured in a Sentence

an ill-natured and unpleasant old horse that sometimes bites

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for ill-natured

• denatured
• natured

Kids Definition

ill-natured

adjective

ill-na·​tured

ˈil-ˈnā-chərd

: having a bad disposition : surly

is usually ill-natured in the morning until after breakfast

ill-naturedly adverb