UNWILLINGNESS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

unwillingness

noun

Definition of unwillingness

as in reluctance

a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something your unwillingness to help with the cooking means that you won't be sharing in the eating

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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 unwillingness Hafley has talked extensively about his refusal to overwhelm rookies, something that explains his unwillingness to cross-train Proctor. — Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 James’s obsessive love, his unwillingness to go on without his beloved, is treated as childish, if not a version of sweaty insanity. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 The article argues that many leaders are 'unqualified' not from lack of credentials, but from an unwillingness to process information that challenges their views. — Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 His unwillingness to accept blame sometimes leads him to deny that there are problems at all, and could leave GOP leaders in tight races with little reassurance for voters that their concerns are being addressed. — Will Weissert, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 Others argue that the primary driver of the disconnect is people’s unwillingness to abandon their beliefs in merit – that wealth is the product of hard work, talent and risk. — Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 Anthony Volpe had to defend his character after the team’s play-by-play man, Michael Kay, retracted unfounded claims about the shortdtop’s unwillingness to play second base. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026 Working closely with the extraordinary faculty at Washington College and with partners across the nation, the Hogan Institute is another example of America’s unwillingness to continue its slide toward greater division. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026 The tournament’s special status — its unwillingness to place any person above the sport — is part of why Williams wanted to play singles, not just doubles with her sister Venus, after waffling on the decision. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwillingness

reluctance

Noun

In stopping short of imposing sanctions on the Egyptian bank, the Republican administration appeared to be signaling its reluctance to penalize major trading partners that do business with Iran, including China and India.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
But rising costs and a reluctance to return to social spaces after the pandemic have hit restaurants hard in an already challenging industry.

— Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of reluctance

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unwillingly

unwillingness

unwind

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

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Synonyms of unwillingness

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