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ill will

noun

Definition of ill will

: unfriendly feeling
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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

 Does Kevin Durant have any ill will toward the Warriors following his devastating Achilles injury? — Evan Hilbert, USA TODAY, "He was the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft. Now he's homeless (again) and refusing help," 11 Aug. 2019 The only difference in this case is that unlike Facebook or Google, FaceApp is Russia-based, and thereby inherits ill will because of Americans’ perception of the country. — Ashley Carman, The Verge, "FaceApp is back and so are privacy concerns," 17 July 2019 Chris Paddack holds no ill will for Marlins, who drafted him and ‘got rid of’ him MIAMI — Chris Paddack did not allow a hit in his final three starts for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the low-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Padres rookie Chris Paddack has ‘extra energy’ for start vs. Marlins," 16 July 2019 No ill will doesn’t mean no will to shove it up the Fish’s gills. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Padres rookie Chris Paddack has ‘extra energy’ for start vs. Marlins," 16 July 2019 Other events have further exacerbated people’s ill will toward Baidu, including an incident in 2016 when a Chinese university student died of cancer after receiving subpar treatment at a hospital advertised on the site. — Jane Li, Quartz, "After he was doused with water, Baidu’s CEO is the butt of China’s internet jokes," 4 July 2019 But given the high-pitched rhetoric and ill will on both sides, the crisis could spiral downward quickly. — Melissa Etehad, latimes.com, "Iran poised to press ahead with uranium enrichment despite Trump warning," 3 July 2019 Pennza seemingly bears no ill will towards her mother-in-law, Terri Pennza, though. — Melissa Locker, Time, "Bride's Mother-in-Law Had a Perfectly Acceptable Reason for Wearing a Wedding Dress for the Big Day," 21 June 2019 The health attacks, still under investigation and with no clear guilty party, have sparked much ill will between the two governments. — Nora Gámez Torres, miamiherald, "Trump is willing to negotiate with North Korea — but not Cuba," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ill will.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ill will

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for ill will

ill will

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ill will

: an unfriendly feeling : a feeling of hatred or dislike

See the full definition for ill will in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ill will

noun

Kids Definition of ill will

: unfriendly feeling He … had more mischief than ill will in his composition …— Washington Irving, Sleepy Hollow

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More from Merriam-Webster on ill will

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with ill will

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ill will

Spanish Central: Translation of ill will

Nglish: Translation of ill will for Spanish Speakers

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