Ill-natured — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈil-ˈnā-chərd/ ill-na·tured

Meaning & Definition of Ill-natured

Ill-natured (adjective)

  1. having a bad disposition, cross, surly
  2. malevolent, spiteful

Ill-natured (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a habitually bad temper

    "an ill-natured and unpleasant old horse that sometimes bites"

    similar: acid, bearish, bilious, bloody-minded (chiefly British), cantankerous, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-tempered, ornery, splenetic, surly
    related: choleric, crabby, cranky, crotchety, fussy, grouchy, grumpy, querulous, irascible, irritable, peevish, peppery, petulant, quick-tempered, short-tempered, snappish, snippy, testy, touchy, argumentative, contentious, contrary, cussed, angry, exasperated, indignant, irate, mad, upset, uptight, depressed, dour, glum, morose, sullen, anal, old-maidish, schoolmarmish
    opposite: amiable, good-humored, good-natured, good-tempered
    near: agreeable, amicable, congenial, friendly, pleasant, benign, gentle, kind, nice, sweet, bubbly, cheerful, cheery, effervescent, exuberant, high-spirited, joyful, lighthearted, lively, vivacious, content, glad, happy, calm, placid, serene, long-suffering, patient, tolerant

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ill-natured

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ill-natured:

Chiefly British: bloody-minded
acid, bearish, bilious, cantankerous, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-tempered, ornery, splenetic, surly

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ill-natured

Words with the opposite meaning of Ill-natured:

amiable, good-humored, good-natured, good-tempered

Related Words for Ill-natured

choleric, crabby, cranky, crotchety, fussy, grouchy, grumpy, querulous, irascible, irritable, peevish, peppery, petulant, quick-tempered, short-tempered, snappish, snippy, testy, touchy, argumentative, contentious, contrary, cussed, angry, exasperated, indignant, irate, mad, upset, uptight

Near Antonyms of Ill-natured

agreeable, amicable, congenial, friendly, pleasant, benign, gentle, kind, nice, sweet, bubbly, cheerful, cheery, effervescent, exuberant, high-spirited, joyful, lighthearted, lively, vivacious, content, glad, happy, calm, placid, serene, long-suffering, patient, tolerant

Word Forms of Ill-natured

Derived words: ill-naturedly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Ill-natured

First known use: 1605

Frequently Asked Questions about Ill-natured

What does "Ill-natured" mean?

"Ill-natured" means having a bad disposition, cross, surly. As an adjective, it is defined as: having a bad disposition, cross, surly.

What is another word for "Ill-natured"?

Other words for "Ill-natured" include acid, bearish, bilious, bloody-minded, cantankerous, disagreeable, dyspeptic and ill-humored. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ill-natured" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ill-natured"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ill-natured". Common alternatives include acid, bearish, bilious, bloody-minded, cantankerous, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-tempered and ornery.

What is the opposite of "Ill-natured"?

Antonyms of "Ill-natured" include amiable, good-humored, good-natured and good-tempered. Near antonyms include agreeable, amicable, congenial and friendly.

How do you use "Ill-natured" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ill-natured" in a sentence: "an ill-natured and unpleasant old horse that sometimes bites".

Is "Ill-natured" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ill-natured" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Ill-natured"?

"Ill-natured" is pronounced /ˈil-ˈnā-chərd/ and divided into syllables as ill-na·tured.

What is the origin of the word "Ill-natured"?

First known use: 1605.