willy-nilly

adverb

ˌwi-lē-ˈni-lē How to pronounce willy-nilly (audio)
Definition of willy-nillynext
as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method they were in a hurry, so they just tossed everything into the room willy-nilly, leaving it to be all sorted out later

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Example Sentences

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 willy-nilly Both of us need data centers to power our online research, but New York deserves data centers that are run responsibly, not that are allowed to pollute willy-nilly. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 The ban came after a series of high-profile scooter deaths and an alarming number of devices strewn willy-nilly in neighborhoods across the city. — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 27 July 2026 Because, despite the company’s anthropomorphized desk-lamp logo, these movies aren’t doling out self-awareness to stuff all willy-nilly. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 June 2026 Statistics are trotted out judiciously to make a clear statement, rather than thrown at us willy-nilly. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026 But don't just toss them in the fridge willy-nilly. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026 No numbers thrown out willy-nilly. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026 There are now as many games as there are phones; what used to be a feast that everyone devoured together has been divvied up into a gazillion little snacks gobbled down willy-nilly. — Rand Richards Cooper, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026 But that doesn’t negate what is already happening in other parts of the economy, where the Administration is intervening willy-nilly, dispensing money and favors, and expanding its reach at a pace that’s hard to keep up with. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willy-nilly
randomly
Adverb
  • In another, they were instructed to answer the questions randomly.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The bowls moved around the water and randomly collided with one another.
    — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of randomly

Browse Nearby Words

wills
willy-nilly
wilt
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Cite this Entry

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

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