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 Traceability isn’t something being thrust on unwilling cotton suppliers, a new report found. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 The Houthis, still formally in a truce with Riyadh, appeared unwilling to aid their Iranian partners. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 But Spurs’ creativity problem is such that Maddison and Kudus remain important members of the squad, even while De Zerbi is unwilling or unable to pick them in the starting XI. — Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026 If vendors or third parties are unwilling to remove the skill game machines from a business, owners should contact PSP for assistance. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwilling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwilling

Adjective

Complications from forced sterilization may occur and result in death.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Late last week, the urgent selling in semiconductors and data-center equities and debt resembled the sort of forced-unwind rhythms from July, when a big upstart tech hedge fund was in the process of being all but liquidated.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of forced

Adjective

Much like her character Klara, Ortega chooses to have faith in humans and their spontaneous wonder.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Celine’s Michael Rider leads a pack of creatives who seek spontaneous styling, embrace imperfection, and refuse to be bound by rules.

— Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of spontaneous

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 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unwilling

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes