WILLING Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'willing' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of willing are deliberate , intentional , and voluntary . While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another. // willing obedience

Q: When is 'deliberate' a more appropriate choice than 'willing'?

The words deliberate and willing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences. // deliberate acts of sabotage

Q: When is it sensible to use 'intentional' instead of 'willing'?

The words intentional and willing can be used in similar contexts, but intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved. // the intentional concealment of vital information

Q: When could 'voluntary' be used to replace 'willing'?

While in some cases nearly identical to willing , voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion. // a voluntary confession

willing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwi-liŋ

Definition of willing

as in ready

having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action) I'm a little confused, but perfectly willing to do as you ask

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in quick

having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation she's always lent a willing hand whenever a neighbor needed help or a friend a favor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in volunteer

done, made, or given with one's own free will a willing sacrifice of her limited free time for a good cause

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

willing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of will

as in leaving

to give by means of a will willed their house to their adult children

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in wanting

to see fit do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word willing different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of willing are deliberate, intentional, and voluntary. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

When is deliberate a more appropriate choice than willing?

The words deliberate and willing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

When is it sensible to use intentional instead of willing?

The words intentional and willing can be used in similar contexts, but intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When could voluntary be used to replace willing?

While in some cases nearly identical to willing, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

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 willing

Adjective

The regime isn’t willing to give any concessions on its nuclear program, and negotiations on freedom of transit through the Strait of Hormuz have repeatedly stalled. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 What a relief then that A Statement is mesmerizing, in part because McCarthy is willing to take some risks early on by allowing some confusion to sneak in. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

Hepburn and Taylor were two of Brynner’s closest friends who passed long before her, willing her jewels that lived up to her exacting taste. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026 Since then, Qatar has come to play the most prominent role in mediating between warring countries and factions within countries, willing itself into a mediation powerhouse spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. — Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for willing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for willing

Adjective

Billed as an immersive matchmaking experience and a new take on the dating show, the format features singletons who are tired of swiping and first dates and are ready to get hitched.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
When they were scheduled to play in Rio, they were seen as an encapsulation of a nefarious past the country was ready to move away from.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of ready

Adjective

Within the past couple of years, the group has become a part of Arrowhead Kingdom, an all-volunteer national network of Chiefs fan groups.

— Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2023
That’s noteworthy for a show based at a high-school auditorium in Litchfield and run by a staff that is almost entirely volunteer, including the show’s star and its producer.

— Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2022

Definition of volunteer

Verb

Soon the village doctor is found murdered and the townsfolk turn on the boy, leaving the stranger as his only hope.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Inaccurate existing models Conventional power generation uses high-temperature steam to turn turbines, leaving vast amounts of low-temperature waste heat uncaptured.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of leaving

Adjective

On an inclined or sitting surface, their heads can fall forward or their bodies can shift into a position that compromises breathing.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
The lightest atomic nuclei are found in hydrogen atoms, and these are the most inclined to quantum tunneling.

— Sophya Garashchuk, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of inclined

Adjective

The Seal is voluntary and requires manufacturers to apply and submit evidence supporting their claims.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
In reality, the president and the tech leaders signed a voluntary accord that allows the companies to police themselves.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Verb

As temple members met their gruesome death, documents bequeathing some $7 million to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union were spirited out of Jonestown in a suitcase stuffed with cash.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
William inherited the piece after her death in 1997, eventually bequeathing it to his wife.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 17 June 2026

Definition of bequeathing

Browse Nearby Words

willies

willing

willingly

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Style

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

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Synonyms of willing

adjective

verb

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