ill will

Some common synonyms of ill will are grudge, malevolence, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

Although the words grudge and ill will have much in common, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

The synonyms malevolence and ill will are sometimes interchangeable, but malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

While the synonyms malice and ill will are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

The words malignity and ill will are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

In some situations, the words spite and ill will are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

The meanings of spleen and ill will largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.