ill-will

A person with ill-will might give a false compliment.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Hostile or unfriendly feelings: "ill-will" refers to a state of mind characterized by dislike, enmity, or a desire to harm or see harm come to someone.
   • Malevolence: A deep-seated or deliberate intention to cause distress or misfortune to another person.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He bore no ill-will towards his former business partner, despite their disagreements. (He felt no hostile feelings.)
  • The dispute between the two families was fueled by long-standing ill-will. (The conflict was driven by mutual dislike and enmity.)
  • She could not understand why anyone would treat her with such ill-will. (She could not comprehend the reason for such unfriendly behavior.)

Advanced Usage

• "to harbour ill-will": to secretly hold hostile feelings toward someone.
  • Even after the argument, she refused to harbour ill-will against her friend. (She chose not to maintain resentment.)
• "to bear ill-will": to carry or maintain hostile intentions.
  • He assured the court that he bore no ill-will towards the victim. (He stated he had no desire to harm.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ill-willed (adj): having or showing hostile feelings.
  • The ill-willed remarks only deepened the rift between them. (The hostile comments worsened the situation.)
• Ill-wisher (n): a person who wishes harm or misfortune upon another.
  • Despite his success, he had many ill-wishers who hoped for his failure. (People who disliked him.)

Synonyms

• Malevolence: the quality of wishing evil or harm to others.
• Animosity: strong, active hostility.
• Antipathy: a deep-seated dislike or aversion.
• Enmity: the state of being an enemy; active opposition.
• Spite: petty or malicious ill-will.

Related Idioms

• "to have no ill-will": to be free of hostile feelings.
  • I have no ill-will towards you; I simply disagree with your decision. (I do not dislike you.)
• "to feel ill-will": to experience hostile feelings.
  • She felt ill-will towards the company after they fired her unfairly. (She felt resentment.)

Antonyms

• Goodwill: friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings.
  • The charity event was a gesture of goodwill, not ill-will. (A kind intention.)
• Benevolence: the quality of being well-meaning and kindly.
  • His actions were driven by benevolence, never ill-will. (Kindness.)