bear ill will

USAGE SUMMARY

"bear ill will" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to have or show resentment or hostility towards someone or something. Example sentence: She was so angry at her boss that she couldn't help but bear ill will towards him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Anyone that knows the Cardinals fans, certainly knows that there's not a group of fans that bear ill will of anybody.

The Guardian - Sport

By being polite, you can show that you don't bear ill will or have any intention of making things more difficult, but you also shield yourself from ongoing internal negativity.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There were claims that the two bore ill will against each other, and that they had to record the song separately due to constant tension.

Wikipedia

Simonyan proposed that consensual sex could have been twisted into a rape accusation by "the system", which he said bore ill will towards the Torpedo forward.

Wikipedia

Mr. Bush's advisers said they considered Mr. McCain more of a threat, both because he is seen as a more credible candidate and because some voters continue to bear ill-will toward Mr. Forbes for the attacks he launched on Mr. Dole in 1996.

The New York Times

We bear no ill will towards the Spanish people.

The Guardian - Opinion

I bear no ill will towards Gove – he was a worthy adversary and someone who should be respected for getting things done.

The Guardian

There is, of course, no obligation for presidents to keep in touch with their predecessors, and there is no evidence that Mr. Obama and Mr. Bush bear any ill will toward each other.

The New York Times

But if racists, misanthropes and fugitives have come here looking for their own private Idaho, so have plenty of other people who say they bear no ill will toward anyone else, but simply like the solitude.

The New York Times

"I still bear them ill will, not because of what they did to me, but because of what they did to some of my friends, including killing some of them," he told reporters.

The New York Times

"I still bear them ill will," he said of the prison guards, "not because of what they did to me, but because of what they did to some of my friends -- including killing some of them".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the feeling you want to convey. While "bear ill will" implies some negativity, you may want to consider alternatives depending on the specific situation. For example, "hold a grudge" suggests a deep-seated resentment that is long-lasting.

Common error

Avoid using "bear ill will" to describe transient or momentary feelings of annoyance. The phrase implies a lasting resentment. For temporary frustrations, use phrases like "was momentarily frustrated" or "felt briefly annoyed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear ill will" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of holding negative feelings. It indicates a subject's disposition towards someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bear ill will" is a grammatically correct way to express that someone holds resentment or animosity toward another. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, consider its nuance: it suggests a sustained feeling, not a fleeting emotion. Alternatives such as "hold a grudge" or "harbor resentment" may be more fitting depending on the context. Therefore, understand its specific meaning to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold no grudges

Indicates a lack of resentment, the opposite of "bear ill will".

resent someone

Directly expresses the feeling of resentment towards a specific person.

feel no animosity

Indicates absence of hostility, in contrast to "bear ill will".

harbor resentment

Focuses on internally holding feelings of resentment.

hold nothing against

Suggests no negative feelings are harbored despite past actions.

hold a grudge

Suggests a persistent feeling of resentment over a past offense.

not begrudge

Indicates absence of envy or resentment about someone else's success or possession.

have animosity

Highlights a strong feeling of dislike or hostility.

feel bitterness

Emphasizes a deep-seated feeling of resentment and disappointment.

nurture animosity

Highlights the act of fostering and maintaining feelings of animosity.

FAQs

How can I use "bear ill will" in a sentence?

You can use "bear ill will" to indicate a sustained feeling of resentment or animosity. For example, "Despite the disagreement, she claimed she didn't "bear ill will" toward him."

What does it mean to "bear ill will"?

To "bear ill will" means to hold a feeling of resentment or animosity toward someone, often stemming from a past grievance or conflict.

What are some alternatives to "bear ill will"?

Alternatives to "bear ill will" include "hold a grudge", "harbor resentment", or "have animosity" depending on the specific context and intensity of feeling.

Is it more common to "bear ill will" or "hold a grudge"?

Both phrases express resentment, but "hold a grudge" generally implies a more prolonged and deeply rooted feeling than "bear ill will". The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.