ILL WILL Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ill will

noun

Definition of ill will

as in hostility

an unfriendly feeling; a feeling of dislike We bear no ill will toward each other.

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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 Soccer star Ashlyn Harris says there's no ill will toward ex-wife and former teammate Ali Krieger. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026 But that’s unlikely to resolve the ill will that’s come up since Gaspar publicly warned of more than 100 layoffs — and Democratic leaders replied by calling for an audit of school finances. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026 But some curious things happened during and after the event, where Meghan and Harry were supposed to seize the chance to show that there was no ill will between them and Netflix. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 May 2026 There's no ill will or hard feelings from me. — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ill will

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill will

Noun

Examining the harder chapters of our history is not the same as hostility toward America.

— Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 21 July 2026
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on June 14 to halt hostilities, prompting gas to fall back below $4 a few days later.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Colt Gray, now 16, pleaded guilty to 55 felony counts, including four counts of malice murder, on Friday.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
The suspect, who has not been identified due to his age, faces two counts of malice murder, possession of a pistol by a minor, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Definition of malice

Noun

Any person in Nathan’s position would be justified in feeling angry, but the fact that the person in question is Nathan — famously an explosive grudge-holder — only makes matters worse.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Despite all of the damage that Mindich’s case has done to Fire Point’s reputation, Shtilerman holds no grudge against him.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Definition of grudge

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“Ill will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill%20will. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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