Enmity (3,4) Crossword Clue
Answer: ILL WILL (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Enmity (3,4)" with 7 letters is "ILL WILL".Ill will refers to a feeling of hostility, animosity, or resentment towards someone, often manifesting as bad intentions or malicious feelings. It describes the opposite of goodwill, where a person harbors negative emotions or a desire to harm, leading to conflict or tension in relationships.
Why "Ill Will" Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (3,4) meaning "enmity." The answer, ILL WILL, fits exactly:
- Enmity: Ill will is a standard English expression for feelings of hostility, resentment, animosity, or hatred towards someone—matching the clue’s definition precisely.
- Direct match: With three letters in the first word and four in the second, ill will fits the (3,4) enumeration perfectly.
- Precise meaning: The phrase refers to the active existence of negative feelings, often lingering or the result of conflict, rivalry, or perceived wrongs.
Ill will is a timeless phrase, used in literature, law, and everyday conversation:
Origin and usage:
- The words “ill” (meaning evil or bad) and “will” (desire, intent) combine to form a phrase signifying bad intentions or negative disposition toward another.
- Used in both formal and informal contexts to describe strained relationships, feuds, or antagonism.
Examples and context:
- “There was ill will between the two neighbors after the dispute.”
- “They parted on terms of ill will, never to speak again.”
- “Despite their history, he harbored no ill will towards his competitor.”
In quick crosswords like “Enmity (3,4),” clues featuring emotions, states, or relationships often turn to established idioms and compound phrases:
Definition: “Enmity” is a direct synonym for ill will, highlighting personal or professional antagonism.
Clue type: Common two-word phrases, often of an idiomatic nature.
Solving approach:
- For (3,4) clues meaning antagonism, ill will is a standard choice. While “bad blood” (3,5) also refers to enmity, the enumeration and syllable count make ill will the precise answer here.
Crossword pattern: Emotional state idioms—ill will, bad blood, hard feelings—are common because their exactness and brevity suit grid construction.
