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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unwilling If a company is unwilling to stand behind a certain component for as long as the surrounding product, leaders should understand why. — Christopher Kiggins, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 The government, unable and unwilling to check their most voracious citizens and appetites, failed to tame the frontier. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 Resilient global growth, sticky inflation, voracious private and government demand for debt, central banks unwilling to look through high oil prices, vague but palpable fiscal worries. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026 Prince William is reportedly unwilling to repeat the pattern of the 20th anniversary of his mother’s death in 2017, which served as a public catharsis, the Times reports. — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwilling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwilling

Adjective

The most recent tariff was launched as part of a broader global campaign targeting trading partners Washington says have failed to restrict forced labor.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
The sparkle in her eyes had dulled and her smile seemed forced.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of forced

Adjective

Occasional moments of real, spontaneous joy emerge, and others reveal the crushing emptiness of lives going nowhere, but the script doesn’t lean too hard in either direction.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
The charismatic and spontaneous Tammy Faye earned a reputation for speaking her mind, sometimes in off-color ways, that brought her legions of fans.

— John Wigger, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of spontaneous

Adjective

Healthcare workers will often wear personal protective equipment, such as an N95 mask, or even a full body suit in case of accidental exposure.

— Erika Edwards, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026
His death at 33 was ruled accidental, but rumors persist drugs played a role.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

unwilled

unwilling

unwillingly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unwilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwilling. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unwilling

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes