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

The ill will is chalked up to the idea that everybody hates a winner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

Ms Dzafce has apologised for the photo, noting it has "caused ill will in many people".

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2025

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

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025

At last the lords agreed, though with much ill will, to elect Claudius as king.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein