ill will

NOUN

hostile feeling

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

WEAK

aversion bad will blame despite dislike feud hard feelings malevolence maliciousness no love lost objection spite spitefulness spleen unfriendliness venom

Antonyms

STRONGEST

friendliness friendship good will happiness kindness liking love pleasure rapport respect sweetness sympathy

WEAK

good feelings loving

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That means telling him that you wish him well and bear him no ill will.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

Which along with a career’s worth of ill will puts the sting in “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

And Hoekstra has signaled that there is still an abundance of ill will.

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025

“We don’t wish any ill will or anything for her,” he said in a brief telephone interview.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

He didn’t want to get the sheriff out so early and rouse ill will when it wasn’t necessary.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck