ill will

noun

: unfriendly feeling

Choose the Right Synonym for ill will

malice, malevolence, ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, grudge mean the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress.

malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

Examples of ill will in a Sentence

We bear no ill will toward each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ill will

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

Kids Definition

ill will

noun

: unfriendly feeling