1
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
2
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
3
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
1
as in leaving
to give by means of a will
willed their house to their adult children
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in wanting
to see fit
do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of willing
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
But these are sacrifices Gerald is willing to make.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 19 May 2026
Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
From his first moments onscreen in a performance of Duracell Bunny physicality and motormouth pushiness, Chalamet conveys the sense of a shameless young man willing himself toward greatness with a combination of chutzpah, amorality and unshakeable self-belief.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willing
Adjective
The intricacies of that Pirandellian parlor game — the fun of figuring out what portion of this film’s moral and narrative faults belong to each of its three writer/directors — is only so much fun because of how deliberately Almodóvar is willing to assume some of the blame for himself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
But these are sacrifices Gerald is willing to make.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 19 May 2026
Verb
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
From his first moments onscreen in a performance of Duracell Bunny physicality and motormouth pushiness, Chalamet conveys the sense of a shameless young man willing himself toward greatness with a combination of chutzpah, amorality and unshakeable self-belief.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willing
Adjective
-
The Sun forms a cazimi with Mercury in Taurus in your 7th House of Partnership, illuminating what both sides need and are ready to offer.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
One part of the mission that remains up in the air is whether or not a version of the lunar spacesuits being developed by Axiom Space will be ready for a test run in space.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Airy and breathable, these temperature-regulating pants feature an elastic waistband that’s quick and easy to pull on, and comfortable enough to wear for hours on busy travel days.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
Sharpen the service with a quick in-room tutorial on lights, a/c, curtains, and handy bedside tablet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
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
Verb
-
Soon after leaving school, the organization Fighting Words changed that for me.—
Via Riverhead,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Body oils, dead skin, dirt, soap scum, mineral deposits, hard water stains, and mold can stick to the walls, door, grout, and floor, leaving a grimy film.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
In addition to creating an election crimes office and tougher penalties for fraud, the new law required that voters wanting a mail ballot must request one every election cycle.—
Michael Van Sickler,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
Charter’s plans have no contracts — so other than wanting to maintain the savings, customers can switch at any time.—
Javier Palomarez,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Most models are usually inclined to speculate answers because simply avoiding answering will motivate the users to question the model’s capabilities.—
Mohamed Suliman,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
-
Bloomberg’s sources suggested that Apple was happy to partner with OpenAI as its own AI projects failed to launch but over time became less inclined to boost ChatGPT after learning about OpenAI’s plans to make its own device that could rival the iPhone.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Housing First programs provide immediate, low-barrier housing with voluntary services.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
In the letter to Yale, Dhillon alleged the New Haven, Connecticut, school was violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting discrimination and said the DOJ is seeking to enter into a voluntary resolution agreement with the university.—
Dave Collins,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The Cubs bequeathing the dubious distinction of the sport’s longest title drought to Cleveland.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Effectively, Newsom’s slow roll protects him from taking any meaningful actions, thus bequeathing reparations to his successor, like his many other unresolved California issues.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willing. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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