willpower
noun
will·pow·er
ˈwil-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 
: the ability to control one's own actions, emotions, or urges
Approximately 42% of U.S. adults are affected by obesity, and many believe that willpower alone is insufficient for weight loss, highlighting the need for pharmacological interventions—
Richard Howells
Richard HowellsI'm not talking about facing up to hard work or discipline, as if the problem were faulty willpower or a poor character.—Patricia Hampl
Patricia Hampl
also
: strong determination that allows one to do something difficult
… maintaining their seats at the corporate table through a wily deployment of guts, guile and willpower. —Hugh Hart
Hugh Hart Examples of willpower in a Sentence
The dessert buffet tested my willpower.
He conquered his drinking problem through sheer willpower.
Recent Examples on the Web
Weight gain is not a failure of willpower, it is driven by biology.
—Tara Comonte, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
This is a feel-mostly-good story, but how useful is Hunter’s experiment for those of us who don’t have anything except our own willpower standing between us and the algorithms?
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
People are busy, and for too many, time is the real constraint, not awareness or willpower.
—Dan Amos, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
To keep yourself safe, remember that the purpose of contrast therapy is to elicit a specific physiological response, not test your willpower.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for willpower
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.
Tara Comonte, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
This is a feel-mostly-good story, but how useful is Hunter’s experiment for those of us who don’t have anything except our own willpower standing between us and the algorithms?
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
People are busy, and for too many, time is the real constraint, not awareness or willpower.
—Dan Amos, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
To keep yourself safe, remember that the purpose of contrast therapy is to elicit a specific physiological response, not test your willpower.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for willpower
Cite this Entry
“Willpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willpower. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
willpower
noun
will·pow·er
ˈwil-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: strong determination
the temptation tested her willpower
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
