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 That letter does not seem to have done much to stem the rising ill will. —

Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026 The alternative – slowly drifting apart or escalating instances of ignoring – stands to create just as much ill will. —

R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for ill will

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill will

Noun

The accord called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a halt to hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 June 2026
The memorandum of understanding calls for an end to all hostilities, including in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been fighting Hezbollah.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Although Ashley had alleged things like malice, ill-will and improper motives by Adam, that still fell short of proving that Adam knew that his statements were false.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
The documentary explores the dark web of fraud, deception and malice that led Parker to feign a pregnancy to try to bolster her relationship with boyfriend Wade Griffin — and when her fake due date passed, kill Hancock for her baby, Braxlynn Sage.

— KC Baker, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026

Definition of malice

Noun

So exemplary was Bergeron’s career, on the ice and off, there are no lingering grudges in this or that city, no bills to pay, no scores to settle.

— Steve Buckley, New York Times, 23 June 2026
But pretty soon the two interlopers into this small, grudge-holding but tight-knit community — the kind where, going back generations, everybody not only knows but is mightily resentful of everyone else’s business — develop a kind of outsider kinship.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 June 2026