ill will

noun

1. hostile feeling; malevolence; enmity.

   to harbor ill will against someone.

   Synonyms: unfriendliness, antipathy, animosity, hostility, hatred
   Antonyms: benevolence

ill will

noun

1. hostile feeling; enmity; antagonism

Other Word Forms

• ill-willed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ill will¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300

Example Sentences

“The left did not hesitate to take to social media sending ill will the president’s way,” he said.

From Salon

"I bear her no ill will. My prayer for her is that she uses her time in jail wisely to become a better person," he said, to gasps in the courtroom.

From BBC

He said there was no inkling of ill will towards his family, though.

From BBC

Mr Rushworth said he bore "no ill will" towards Clarke, adding: "I have tried at every step to balance the needs for security with compassion for a man I deem to be mentally unwell."

From BBC

This arrangement, according to Campbell, created ill will for years with Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acrimony 
• animosity 
• animus 
• antagonism 
• antipathy 
• bad blood 
• bitterness 
• enmity 
• envy 
• grudge 
• hate 
• hatred 
• hostility 
• loathing 
• malice 
• rancor 
• resentment