What does "well-willer" mean?

One who wishes (someone) well, or means kindly (toward someone).

What is a synonym for "well-willer"?

Common synonyms include: friend, good willer, supporter, well-wisher.

Well-willer

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1
One who wishes (someone) well, or means kindly (toward someone). archaic
"For he determined with him selfe thenceforth to send no embassadour vnto Constantius, neyther to doe homage, or to honor him as his superiour, patrone, or wellwiller: but to deale in all matters accordinge vnto his owne will and pleasure."

Synonyms

All synonyms

friend good willer supporter well-wisher

Antonyms

All antonyms

enemy evil willer ill-willer

Example

More examples

"For he determined with him selfe thenceforth to send no embassadour vnto Constantius, neyther to doe homage, or to honor him as his superiour, patrone, or wellwiller: but to deale in all matters accordinge vnto his owne will and pleasure."

Etymology

Possibly a calque of Latin benevolēns from bene (“well”) + volēns (“(one) wishing”).

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.