Synonyms of ill will

ill will

noun

as in hostility

an unfriendly feeling; a feeling of dislike

We bear no ill will toward each other.

Related Words

• hostility
• malice
• grudge
• cruelty
• hatred
• animosity
• antagonism
• spite
• enmity
• jaundice
• resentment
• bitterness
• antipathy
• malignancy
• malevolence
• malignity
• meanness
• hate
• spleen
• despite
• rancor
• contempt
• maliciousness
• venom
• viciousness
• despicableness
• loathing
• abomination
• hatefulness
• abhorrence
• mean-spiritedness
• spitefulness
• nastiness
• abusiveness
• malignance
• disgust
• vindictiveness
• disdain
• revulsion
• cattiness
• repulsion
• invidiousness
• distaste
• repugnance
• execration
• jealousy
• vengefulness
• scorn
• pique
• horror
• bile
• virulence
• aversion
• bitchiness
• bitchery
• vitriol

Dissimilar Words

• love
• devotion
• passion
• hospitality
• worship
• friendliness
• amity
• civility
• cordiality
• amiability
• adoration
• infatuation
• affection
• understanding
• charity
• ardor
• sympathy
• kindness
• veneration
• friendship
• goodwill
• kindliness
• amicability
• empathy
• comity

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of ill will

There appeared to be no lingering ill will in the first meeting between the clubs since a three-game series at Cincinnati in mid-April that featured a benches-clearing brawl. — CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Paul may have come at the matter with theatrics and ill will, but some of his questions, in their most basic forms, are worth exploring, because the debate about where the novel coronavirus came from is ongoing, divisive, and important. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026

Hollis finds a moment of peace and feels no ill will toward Gigi. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026

Following his 2021 falling out with the Jackass guys, Bam Margera has no ill will toward the crew and their final onscreen outing. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 3 July 2026