Definition

Noun: 1. Unfriendly or hostile feelings; a desire to harm someone or see them suffer: "Ill will" refers to feelings of animosity, resentment, or malevolence directed towards another person. It implies a wish for bad things to happen to them. 2. The state of having bad or negative intentions: It can also describe a general attitude of unfriendliness or antagonism.

Usage

"Ill will" is an uncountable noun used to describe a sustained feeling rather than a momentary emotion. It is often used in contexts of conflict, rivalry, or after a perceived wrong.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She bore him no ill will after their disagreement. (She did not hold any hostile feelings toward him.)
  • The business takeover was conducted without any ill will. (The process was not motivated by hostile intentions.)
  • His criticism was offered in the spirit of helpfulness, not ill will. (His intent was not to be malicious.)

Advanced Usage

• "to bear/harbor/cherish ill will (toward/against someone)": To hold onto or maintain feelings of hostility.
  • Despite the divorce, he harbored no ill will toward his ex-wife.
• "to do something without ill will": To perform an action without malicious intent.
  • The comment was made without ill will, but it still caused offense.

Variants and Related Words

• Ill-disposed (adj): Having an unfriendly or hostile attitude.
  • He was ill-disposed towards the new management.

Synonyms

• Hostility: Open antagonism or enmity.
• Animosity: Strong hostility or opposition.
• Resentment: Bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly.
• Malice: The intention or desire to do evil or cause injury.
• Antipathy: A deep-seated feeling of dislike or aversion.

Antonyms

• Goodwill: Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude.
• Benevolence: The quality of being well-meaning; kindness.
• Amity: A friendly relationship.

Related Idioms

• No ill will: A phrase used to explicitly state the absence of hostile feelings.
  • I wish you the best, truly, no ill will.
• With the best/worst will in the world: Used to concede that even with good (or bad) intentions, a certain outcome is inevitable.
  • With the best will in the world, I cannot agree to that proposal. (Even with my good intentions, I cannot agree.)

Noun

1. a hostile (very unfriendly) disposition
   • he could not conceal his hostility
2. the feeling of a hostile person
   • he could no longer contain his hostility