ill-willed
Wishing others harm
Ill-willed describes someone harboring hostile or malicious intentions toward others.
An ill-willed neighbor might spread rumors or create petty conflicts.
The term suggests deliberate unkindness rather than mere indifference: The ill-willed remarks were designed to undermine her confidence.
Less common than its opposite, well-willed.
Harboring ill will
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
- evilProfound moral wickedness
- wickedEvil or slang-excellent
diabolical · vicious · cruel · harmful · pernicious · baleful · malignant · destructive
Wanting to harm back
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- grudgingReluctant, resentful in giving
- unforgivingShowing no leniency
retaliatory · revengeful · spiteful · rancorous · implacable · merciless · relentless · retributive
Unkind in a petty way
- nastyDeeply unpleasant or spiteful
- cattySlyly spiteful
- pettyOf little importance
- snideDerisively insinuating
venomous · hateful · cutting · barbed · hurtful · caustic · acrimonious · vitriolic
Actively opposed or hostile
- adversarialCharacterized by conflict
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
confrontational · pugnacious · quarrelsome · contentious · truculent · bellicose · inimical · warlike
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
- evilProfound moral wickedness
wicked · diabolical · vicious · cruel · harmful · pernicious · baleful · malignant · destructive · insidious
vengeful
Wanting to harm back
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- grudgingReluctant, resentful in giving
unforgiving · retaliatory · revengeful · spiteful · rancorous · implacable · merciless · relentless · retributive · wrathful
mean-spirited
Unkind in a petty way
snide · venomous · hateful · cutting · barbed · hurtful · caustic · acrimonious · vitriolic · poisonous
antagonistic
Actively opposed or hostile
- adversarialCharacterized by conflict
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
aggressive · confrontational · pugnacious · quarrelsome · contentious · truculent · bellicose · inimical · warlike · defiant
ill-willedbenevolent
Desiring others' welfare
well-intentioned · well-meaning · good-natured · kindly · charitable
ill-willedbenevolent
Desiring others' welfare
virtuous · noble · magnanimous · saintly · angelic
will, ill, willing, unwilling, goodwill, willingly, willingness, wills, willed