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 Others, who either forget or are unwilling to hassle the move, incur a $65 ticket and often a tow, creating a time-consuming obstacle for broom operators. — Norman Steisel, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 Iran’s old playbook depended on leverage, time and an American leadership unwilling to impose meaningful consequences. — Shaun McCutcheon, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Authorities say hundreds of aftershocks have continued to shake the country, complicating rescue operations and fueling fears among survivors who remain unwilling to return to damaged homes. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026 The cops posted outside of the nearby Swarovski and PINK stores are similarly unwilling to entertain my interrogations. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwilling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwilling

Adjective

Avoid Bundles That Feel Forced Consumers ignore bundles that feel forced.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Another 79 percent want new laws to stop goods made with forced labor from entering the market.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 2 July 2026

Definition of forced

Adjective

That didn’t seem to dent the energy, with spontaneous Argentinian futbol songs breaking out among scrums of fans.

— Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Instead of limiting where an electric bike can go, its folding design creates more opportunities to ride, making spontaneous adventures easier than ever while still providing the comfort needed for longer distances.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026

Definition of spontaneous

Adjective

Such coerced displacement did not — and could not — extinguish rights guaranteed by a still-valid agreement.

— Shaun Chapoose, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Russia has targeted the children through coerced adoption and family separation, forcing them to speak the Russian language and take on its cultural identity and customs — what’s known as Russification.

— Shahrzad Rasekh, Hartford Courant, 3 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwilling

adjective

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