ill-wisher

noun

Definition of ill-wishernext
as in enemy

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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-wisher As a small country with many ill-wishers, surrounded by militias that clamor for its destruction, Israel often feels itself under siege and classifies any action against it as an unforgivable betrayal. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024 Kadyrov denies rights abuses, saying such allegations are fabricated by ill-wishers trying to discredit Chechnya and its authorities. — Reuters, NBC News, 5 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-wisher
  1. enemy
  2. opponent
  3. hostile
  4. adversary
  5. antagonist
  6. foe
Noun
  • The two started off as enemies as Judy joined the Zootopia Police Department, but then put aside their differences to solve a mystery in the animal city.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Inspired by true events, her feature film debut tells the dark story of a small northeastern German village at the end of WWII, when the Nazi regime gave its citizens the order to leave nothing alive for the enemy to find.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • Only Middlesbrough made their regains higher upfield, on average, and Coventry caught opponents offside 136 times last campaign — the most since Barnsley (144) and Bournemouth (143) four seasons ago.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Schedule Outlook The path to another major leap in 2026 is there for FIU, but the Panthers will have to navigate a schedule that features several competent Conference USA opponents.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • California is often tagged as a hostile to business due to high taxes and regulations.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Energy costs, vanishing federal subsidies and an administration in Washington hostile to clean energy are giving officials reasons to retreat from efforts to deal with climate change and the political cover to do so.
    — Andres Clarens, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Definition of hostile
Noun
  • The Russia and Ukraine conflict grinds into a fifth year; a new Fed chair settles in while tariff policy whipsaws through the courts; tensions with allies and adversaries alike continue to flare.
    — Nigel Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Satellite navigation can fail when an adversary jams GPS or China’s BeiDou system.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of adversary
Noun
  • GnRH antagonists block hormones in the pituitary gland to prevent the patient from ovulating early.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Local fisherman Wyck Crawford, played by a delightfully rascally Stephen Root, serves as Loftis’ human antagonist, warning the mayor of impending doom.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of antagonist
Noun
  • His political foes described the move as a stunt and opted against standing a candidate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The good guys protecting us from people who want to work and live here will continue their morally upright quest by electrocuting their foes into submission.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of foe

Browse Nearby Words

ill will
ill-wisher
ill-wishers
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Cite this Entry

“Ill-wisher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-wisher. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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