ILL WILL Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'ill will' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ill will are grudge , malevolence , malice , malignity , spite , and spleen . While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration. // ill will provoked by a careless remark

Q: Where would 'grudge' be a reasonable alternative to 'ill will'?

Although the words grudge and ill will have much in common, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction. // never one to harbor a grudge

Q: When is 'malevolence' a more appropriate choice than 'ill will'?

The synonyms malevolence and ill will are sometimes interchangeable, but malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct. // a look of dark malevolence

Q: When is it sensible to use 'malice' instead of 'ill will'?

While the synonyms malice and ill will are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer. // felt no malice toward their former enemies

Q: When would 'malignity' be a good substitute for 'ill will'?

The words malignity and ill will are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness. // a life consumed by motiveless malignity

Q: When can 'spite' be used instead of 'ill will'?

In some situations, the words spite and ill will are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments. // petty insults inspired by spite

Q: When might 'spleen' be a better fit than 'ill will'?

The meanings of spleen and ill will largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice. // venting his spleen against politicians

ill will

noun

Definition of ill will next

as in hostility

an unfriendly feeling; a feeling of dislike We bear no ill will toward each other.

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How does the noun ill will differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ill will are grudge, malevolence, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

Where would grudge be a reasonable alternative to ill will?

Although the words grudge and ill will have much in common, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is malevolence a more appropriate choice than ill will?

The synonyms malevolence and ill will are sometimes interchangeable, but malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When is it sensible to use malice instead of ill will?

While the synonyms malice and ill will are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When would malignity be a good substitute for ill will?

The words malignity and ill will are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

When can spite be used instead of ill will?

In some situations, the words spite and ill will are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

When might spleen be a better fit than ill will?

The meanings of spleen and ill will largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of ill will The alternative — slowly drifting apart or escalating instances of ignoring — stands to create just as much ill will. —

R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026 The type of ill will generated by gerrymandering doesn’t easily dissipate. —

Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026 Hyland also noted six of the eight judges Troupis accused of harboring ill will against him, including Hyland, were not judges when Troupis was on the bench for less than a year between 2015 and 2016. —

Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025 International security experts also say the agency is the subject of negative social media campaigns after every disaster by unfriendly foreign governments working to sow discontent and ill will. —

Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ill will

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill will

Noun

Iran war has entered its fifth week with hostilities escalating across the region.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
After all, a bit more than a decade later, hostilities would explode anew in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, during which Nasser shut the canal again.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026