ill will

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

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 This person who had ill will for me? Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 Fire Chief Josh Gordon said the decision wasn’t the result of any ill will among the three departments but rather reflected the needs of a growing city that wants to focus more on its own priorities. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025 There doesn’t seem to be ill will, with GM and player saying publicly there is a path forward. Joe Smith, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025 From his window overlooking the Canadian toll plaza, Czudner can see the effects of the unprecedented ill will between the countries that share the world's longest land border. Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ill will
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill will
Noun
  • Naroditsky’s untimely death has shined a spotlight on the dark underbelly of the game that fellow pros say brought undue hostility upon the chess star in his final months.
    Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Presidents have wide latitude to deploy the Guard, and protection of federal property is an obvious justification in this season of violent hostility to ICE.
    Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • They’re built not to resist developers but, as their name suggests, they’re intentionally designed, with a degree of malice, to annoy someone specific.
    Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Emerson's defense team argued that the case was more about mental health than malice.
    Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Her relationship with her family is fraught, and not just because of her liberal politics; religious animosity, personal grudges, and class resentment all play a part.
    Grace Byron, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Be wary of friends who act like their grudges are the only ones that matter in a relationship.
    Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Horror seems cathartic, or psychically protective—a safe ritual that admits the reality of violence and cruelty while also warding it off, like a ceremonial demon mask.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • What has changed in recent years, Pettman argues, is the ease—and cruelty—with which people can enter and exit one another’s lives.
    Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ill will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill%20will. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ill will

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!