ill-wisher

noun

Definition of ill-wishernext
as in enemy

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ill-wisher As a small country with many ill-wishers, surrounded by militias that clamor for its destruction, Israel often feels itself under siege and classifies any action against it as an unforgivable betrayal. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024 Kadyrov denies rights abuses, saying such allegations are fabricated by ill-wishers trying to discredit Chechnya and its authorities. — Reuters, NBC News, 5 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-wisher
  1. enemy
  2. opponent
  3. hostile
  4. adversary
  5. antagonist
  6. foe
Noun
  • After a period of inactivity that included elbow surgery, Álvarez — beyond his opponents — faces his greatest enemy in Father Time, as demonstrated by his September 2025 loss to Terence Crawford, which cost him his four super-middleweight titles.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Lakshmana, however, recognizes the deception and initially refuses to leave, confident in Rama’s ability to defeat any enemy.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • Sorrells said that his opponent’s assessment is Ill-informed.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But that game was in New York and this one was in Charlotte’s backyard and, more importantly, against a far better opponent.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • Reacher counts 13 hostiles in his surveillance of this makeshift WMD lab.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • His target audience, Cardoza said, is not the small AI filmmaking community but general viewers, including some hostile to the method.
    — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostile
Noun
  • Of course ogres and adversaries can shift shapes over decades.
    — Scott Simon, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Simply put, to stay economically competitive, America needs computing power that matches or beats its adversaries’.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of adversary
Noun
  • The network known as Fairshake spent $40 million in 2024 to unseat Brown, then the Senate Banking Committee chair; after Brown lost, crypto antagonist-in-chief Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts replaced him as the panel’s top Democrat.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The film gave him a prominent supporting role as Duke, the antagonist.
    — Chaseedaw Giles, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of antagonist
Noun
  • The backup looked functional, if not better, in his lone start against a top-10 foe, but the sample size remains small.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The team totaled 463 yards against the Cougars, its most against a conference foe since amassing 578 yards against the Mountaineers.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of foe

Browse Nearby Words

ill will
ill-wisher
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Cite this Entry

“Ill-wisher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-wisher. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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