ill will

USAGE SUMMARY

"ill will" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to negative or hostile intentions or feelings towards someone. Example: The divorce was filled with conflict and ill will, making it difficult for the couple to communicate and reach a settlement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

No ill will toward Troy.

The New York Times - Sports

That's creating profound ill will.

The New York Times

That's frustration, ill will, hatred.

The New York Times

There was no ill will.

The New York Times

Naked bribery promotes mutual ill will.

The Economist

But it garnered some ill will.

The New York Times

"It just creates ill will," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet he bears them no ill-will.

The Economist

But in Japan the ill-will is unfair.

The Economist

They betray no ill-will toward gays and lesbians.

The Economist

"We wish Soldier B no ill-will.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where negative feelings are dissipating, contrast "ill will" with its opposite, such as goodwill or understanding. For example, 'Despite the initial conflict, the parties worked to overcome their ill will and establish a positive working relationship.'

Common error

Avoid using "ill will" when you simply mean disagreement or difference of opinion. "Ill will" signifies a deeper, more personal animosity. Using a phrase like "difference of opinion" or "disagreement" is more appropriate in scenarios lacking a sense of active hostility.

Linguistic Context

Ill will functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "harbor ill will") or the subject when discussing negative feelings or intentions. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples demonstrating its role in expressing animosity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ill will" is a commonly used noun phrase that denotes negative feelings or intentions towards someone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When writing, be mindful of the context and ensure the phrase accurately reflects a deeper, personal animosity, rather than a simple disagreement. Alternatives like "animosity" or "resentment" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

animosity

A general term for strong dislike or hatred; less specific than "ill will", which implies intent.

enmity

Implies a state of deep-seated hatred and active hostility; stronger and more formal than "ill will".

resentment

Focuses on the feeling of displeasure at being treated unfairly; "ill will" can stem from resentment.

bad blood

An informal expression for lingering animosity between people or groups; similar in intensity to "ill will".

grudge

A persistent feeling of resentment, often nursed over time; "ill will" can be the result of holding a grudge.

hostility

Indicates an actively unfriendly or aggressive state; "ill will" is the underlying feeling.

rancor

Deep-seated bitterness and resentment; more intense and lasting than "ill will".

malice

The intention or desire to do evil; "ill will" often implies malice.

malevolence

Having or showing a wish to do evil to others; a more extreme form of "ill will".

spite

A petty feeling of wanting to hurt or annoy someone; a less intense form of "ill will".

FAQs

How to use "ill will" in a sentence?

Use "ill will" to describe a negative feeling or intention directed toward someone. For example, "Despite their differences, they harbored no ill will toward each other."

What can I say instead of "ill will"?

You can use alternatives like "animosity", "enmity", or "resentment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ill will" or "bad will"?

"Ill will" is the correct and commonly used phrase to describe negative feelings or intentions. "Bad will" is not a standard or recognized expression in English.

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

"Ill will" is a general feeling of animosity or dislike, while a "grudge" is a specific, often long-held, feeling of resentment over a perceived wrong. "Ill will" can be the underlying feeling, and a "grudge" is a specific instance of it.