harbor ill will

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harbor ill will" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of resentment or hostility towards someone. Example: "Despite their past disagreements, she chose not to harbor ill will and instead focused on moving forward positively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Still, he does not harbor ill will toward his neighbors.

The New York Times

"It's part of politics to have people who are competitive and even harbor ill will.

The New York Times

But so far it is hard to find those who harbor ill will toward the new restaurant.

The New York Times

The attacks were the first time they had considered that people in the rest of the world might harbor ill will toward Americans.

The New York Times

But a more appropriate juxtaposition for the peace-seeking children of Nabi Saleh would have been the young people of other West Bank towns who harbor ill will toward Israelis, Jews and Americans, not the Israeli soldiers you refer to (and demonize).

The New York Times - Magazine

We've proven we can harbor ill will toward the giants while begrudgingly buying and using their products.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The paper's founder, Nicholas F. Benton, dismissed the notion that Ms. Thomas harbored ill will toward Jews.

The New York Times

"Since that day, I've harbored ill will toward this school".

The New Yorker

Now, Eritreans say, they can be detained for crimes as slight as harboring ill will toward the government.

The New Yorker

Eric Milton no longer harbors ill will toward the Yankees for trading him before he ever put on pinstripes.

The New York Times - Sports

It's hard to avoid comparisons to "Misery" when you have a character physically confined to an enclosed space by another character who harbors ill will.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harbor ill will" to describe a sustained feeling of resentment, especially when someone chooses to hold onto negative feelings rather than forgive or forget. For instance, "Despite the apology, he continued to harbor ill will toward his former colleague."

Common error

Avoid using "harbor ill will" to describe fleeting moments of anger or annoyance. This phrase is more appropriate for describing a deep-seated and prolonged feeling of resentment, not just a momentary frustration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harbor ill will" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of mind where someone consciously or unconsciously sustains negative feelings. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in English, referring to resentment or hostility towards someone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "harbor ill will" accurately describes a sustained feeling of resentment or animosity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to indicate a prolonged negative sentiment rather than transient annoyance. Alternatives such as ""hold a grudge"" and ""bear resentment"" offer similar meanings, with slight differences in nuance. Understanding these distinctions allows for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold a grudge

Focuses on maintaining resentment over a past offense.

bear a grudge

Similar to holding a grudge, but with a slightly more active implication.

bear resentment

Highlights the feeling of anger and bitterness towards someone.

nurse a grievance

Implies carefully maintaining a feeling of injustice.

hold animosity

Emphasizes a strong feeling of dislike or hatred.

feel resentment

Simply expresses the emotion of resentment.

foster bitterness

Suggests actively encouraging feelings of resentment.

resent someone

A more direct way of saying you feel bitterness toward someone.

hold malice

Indicates a desire to do evil to another person.

be bitter towards

Indicates a state of resentment and disappointment towards someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "harbor ill will" to describe a situation where someone continues to feel resentment or animosity towards another person after a conflict or disagreement. For example, "Despite the apology, she continued to "harbor ill will" towards her former friend".

What are some alternatives to "harbor ill will"?

Some alternatives to "harbor ill will" include phrases like "hold a grudge", "bear resentment", or "nurse a grievance". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "harbour ill will" instead of "harbor ill will"?

Both "harbor ill will" and "harbour ill will" are grammatically correct. "Harbor" is the American English spelling, while "harbour" is the British English spelling. Choose the spelling that aligns with your intended audience or writing style.

What's the difference between "harbor ill will" and "hold a grudge"?

While both phrases imply resentment, ""harbor ill will"" suggests a more internal and perhaps less outwardly expressed feeling of animosity. "Hold a grudge" often implies a more active and visible form of resentment.