UNWILLING Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

unwilling

adjective

ˌən-ˈwi-liŋ

Definition of unwilling

as in forced

not made or done willingly or by choice unwilling contributions from city employees who felt pressured to do so

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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 unwilling Consumers appear unwilling, or unable, to pay full price for athletic shoes. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Southampton have made clear their valuation for the 24-year-old and Villa are presently unwilling to meet it. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 However, the complaints alleged, administrators were unwilling to provide the dedicated aide. — Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 With the market nearing its close, many question Atleti's decision to keep an unwilling player who has lost fan support. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwilling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwilling

Adjective

The sparkle in her eyes had dulled and her smile seemed forced.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
One thing that makes Rodriguez such a great fit in what the Dolphins want to do defensively is his propensity to punch the ball out for forced fumbles.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of forced

Adjective

Because of spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization in its crystal structure, GaN heterostructures can naturally induce extremely thin sheets of mobile electrons and holes.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
With a vehicle this size, 180 hp isn't exactly a recipe for spontaneous joy.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of spontaneous

Adjective

This included expert witnesses who said the child’s death was an accidental drowning brought on by a seizure and a jailhouse informant who recanted his trial testimony that Duncan had confessed to the crime.

— Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
In all three cases, authorities have appeared to suggest their deaths were accidental.

— Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of accidental

Adjective

Human rights groups have accused Iranian authorities of denying defendants due process, relying on coerced confessions and carrying out executions after unfair trials.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Such coerced displacement did not — and could not — extinguish rights guaranteed by a still-valid agreement.

— Shaun Chapoose, Denver Post, 20 May 2026

Definition of coerced

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unwilled

unwilling

unwillingly

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“Unwilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwilling. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwilling

adjective

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