ILL-WISHER Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

ill-wisher

noun

Definition of ill-wisher

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

Noun

Friday is here and that means all you Competitive Wordle players, playing against your friends, co-workers, rivals, enemies, or against me or the Wordle Bot, must double your points, whether positive or negative.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Months turned into years, and on August 6, 1945, Kakita and his brother heard of an enemy aircraft sighting.

— Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of enemy

Noun

Oklahoma, where Daniels played last season, shared several common opponents with LSU, where Perkins spent his four-year college career.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
The leader of anti-immigration party Reform UK is running in an election as the incumbent favorite, and his main opponent is a man dressed as a garbage can.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of opponent

Noun

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
During the recent demonstration test, the Bird of Prey took off from a launch cradle, and once in the air was able to autonomously search for, detect, and classify a target drone standing in for a hostile.

— David Szondy April 04, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of hostile

Noun

Also in the parade ranks were new uncrewed submersible vehicles – underwater drones, stealthy in their own right, that could pose a threat to any of Beijing’s adversaries.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
There is nothing to do with a warning about foreign adversaries except go quiet, which is the point of making it.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of adversary

Noun

Fehr played Ardeth Bay, the leader of the secret society of elite warriors known as the Medjai who are sworn to protect Egypt from the franchise’s undead antagonist.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
Based on that lore and the ending of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, the story appears to be building toward Afton’s return as Springtrap, the terrifying primary antagonist of the third game.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of antagonist

Noun

Worrell’s frequent foe, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, bashed her over Rundell’s past on social media, suggesting dropped cases previously left the teen free to commit murder this summer.

— Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, friends and foes alike were reminded that allies of the United States cannot be certain that their interests will be protected during a war or that Washington will even consult with them before deciding to use force.

— KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of foe

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ill-wisher

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Style

“Ill-wisher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-wisher. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ill-wisher

noun

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