ILL-WISHER Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

ill-wisher

noun

Definition of ill-wisher

as in enemy

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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

Scotland changed its anthem to ‘Flower Of Scotland’ — a folk song written in the 1960s, and whose lyrics take occasional aim at its neighbour and old enemy to the south — across their sports teams in the 1990s.

— George Edwards, New York Times, 31 July 2026
The game is also not easy; there’s a lot of bullet hell here, and many rooms are tight and filled with hazards and enemies.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Definition of enemy

Noun

Some opponents of the merger have argued that the deal will effectively consolidate all of March Madness under one corporate umbrella and ultimately harm competition for college sports rights.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Their assertions come on the heels of Class 6A Thomas County Central’s historic season in which the Yellow Jackets averaged nearly 54 points per game and beat every opponent by 14 or more on the way to a 15-0 season.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 4 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

And on Wednesday, his relatives, colleagues and one-time adversaries gathered near that office to share them.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
The money reflects the pace of current operations, officials say, but also acknowledges Pentagon concerns about the kinds of activities America’s adversaries are undertaking in space.

— Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2026

Definition of adversary

Noun

Each was cast as the antagonist in the game that saw England’s exit a World Cup or European Championship, prompting invective from rival supporters and a siege mentality in Manchester.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
The man in the water Tanner Mansell is, in many ways, the bill’s perfect antagonist — and the clearest illustration of how tangled this fight has become.

— Kate Waxman, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Definition of antagonist

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ill-wisher

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“Ill-wisher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-wisher. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ill-wisher

noun

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