Ill will Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ill will

[ɪl wɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

negative feelings

Intentional harm or damage towards someone or something, often accompanied by feelings of anger or resentment. Ill will can result in conflicts and strained relationships.

Synonyms

animosity, antagonism, hostility, malice, spite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ill will	Used to describe a general feeling of resentment or dislike without necessarily implying active opposition or harm. Even though the disagreement was resolved, there was still some ill will between them. She couldn't help but feel ill will towards her former boss for the unfair dismissal.
malice	Describes the intention or desire to do harm or cause suffering to someone, often maliciously. He spoke with clear malice in his voice. The note was written with hidden malice, aiming to upset the recipient.
spite	Refers to petty or minor actions intended to irritate or hurt someone, often driven by envy or resentment. He broke the vase out of sheer spite. She refused to help him out of spite, even though it would have been easy.
animosity	Refers to strong hostility or opposition, usually involving deep-seated hatred. The animosity between the two rival teams was evident during the match. Years of animosity made it difficult for the neighbors to reconcile.
hostility	Used to describe openly unfriendly or aggressive behavior, often in a more overt manner. The soldier encountered hostility in the occupied territory. Despite her attempts to be polite, she was met with hostility from her colleagues.
antagonism	Describes active opposition or conflict, often involving actions and words, rather than just feelings. There was clear antagonism between the two political parties. His antagonism towards her ideas was evident from his harsh critiques.

Examples of usage

He harbored ill will towards his former business partner after their falling out.
The siblings had a history of ill will towards each other, stemming from childhood rivalries.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

legal context

In legal terms, ill will can refer to malicious intent or bad faith, especially in cases involving contracts or agreements.

Synonyms

intention, malevolence, malignity, motive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ill will	Used to describe feelings of hostility or antagonism towards someone. There was a lot of ill will between the two neighbors. Despite their disagreements, she held no ill will towards him.
malevolence	Describes a deep-seated, often active ill will or hatred, carrying a sense of evil or ill-intent. The villain's malevolence was evident in his every action. She could sense the malevolence in his eyes.
malignity	A strong term for extreme ill will or spite, often suggesting an inherent evil nature. Negative connotation. The malignity in his voice was shocking. They were taken aback by the sheer malignity of her accusations.
motive	Refers to the reason behind someone's actions or behavior. The detective questioned his motive for committing the crime. What was her motive in helping them?
intention	Refers to an aim or a plan of action that someone has. His good intentions were clear, but his actions did not match them. She had no intention of attending the party, but she changed her mind later.

Examples of usage

The court considered the defendant's ill will towards the plaintiff when ruling on the case.
Proving ill will in this contract dispute is crucial for the plaintiff's argument.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'ill will'

The term 'ill will' has origins in Middle English, where 'ill' meant evil or wicked and 'will' referred to desire or intention. Over time, the expression evolved to represent negative intentions or feelings towards others. The concept of ill will has been explored in various philosophical and legal contexts, highlighting the impact of malicious intent on human relationships and societal interactions.