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 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 Much of the critical ill will Eddington engenders boils down to the sense that Aster is stacking the deck. Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 July 2025 While any ill will toward the Yankees has waned now that Witt is in the major leagues, New York will open a three-game series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium this week. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2025 In what Bien characterized as a bid to avoid ill will, all prison mental health workers will benefit from the new expenditures, with current employees and new hires each receiving one-time $10,000 bonuses. Don Thompson, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ill will
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill will
Noun
  • The monthlong celebration comes at a crucial time, as transgender youths continue to face mounting legislative attacks and social hostility nationwide.
    Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Police officers eventually began to line tee boxes as the weekend progressed, though that also did not assuage the hostility.
    Matt Moret, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • More than avoiding malice, we are called to take responsibility for the impact of our words.
    Andrew Weinstein, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Understand that controlling behaviors may stem from fear and insecurity rather than malice.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That’s a long grudge that Ben holds.
    Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
  • There’s the Herschel Walker trade, the Charles Haley trade, and the long grudge between Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Cobb was arrested and charged with murder in the second degree and cruelty to children in the second degree, both felonies, police said.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Gibson was charged with cruelty to animals, taken into custody, and later released on a $20,000 bond.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ill will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill%20will. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ill will

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