1
as in rather
by choice or preference
I would not willingly eat liver, but sometimes I have no choice
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in voluntarily
of one's own free will
I willingly made the campaign contribution; no one pressured me into doing so
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of willingly
Investigators do not believe Nancy Guthrie left her home willingly and that she was abducted in her sleep early Sunday morning, the Pima County Sheriff's Department told ABC News.
—
Jon Haworth, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Volunteers often are needed for low-level jobs that Quimby does willingly, including keeping track of how long a person is taking for a shower, arbitrating the line for use of two bathrooms, and moderating use of washers and driers.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
The man willingly moved into the basement 20 years ago, but his health has since deteriorated, per the outlet.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Smith allegedly willingly gave her child to a family member of the potential buyer, and 2½ hours later demanded a $10,000 payment or the return of her child, according to the criminal complaint.
—Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Or maybe dear ol’ dad made the choice willingly.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
But how many of them — like our old friend the Snake Oil Salesman — willingly gave all of that up for the chance to expunge their lifetimes of trauma?
—Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Moua said her brother-in-law went willingly with the officers without knowing why he was being detained.
—Jean Lee, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
Who in their right mind would willingly stick around to see what this aggressive person does next?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
Jon Haworth, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Volunteers often are needed for low-level jobs that Quimby does willingly, including keeping track of how long a person is taking for a shower, arbitrating the line for use of two bathrooms, and moderating use of washers and driers.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
The man willingly moved into the basement 20 years ago, but his health has since deteriorated, per the outlet.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Smith allegedly willingly gave her child to a family member of the potential buyer, and 2½ hours later demanded a $10,000 payment or the return of her child, according to the criminal complaint.
—Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Or maybe dear ol’ dad made the choice willingly.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
But how many of them — like our old friend the Snake Oil Salesman — willingly gave all of that up for the chance to expunge their lifetimes of trauma?
—Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Moua said her brother-in-law went willingly with the officers without knowing why he was being detained.
—Jean Lee, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
Who in their right mind would willingly stick around to see what this aggressive person does next?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willingly
Adverb
-
For another, this drubbing, unlike many previous ones, was triggered not by fears of a bubble but rather concern that AI is on the verge of supplanting the business models of a wide swathe of companies that doomsayers have long predicted were at risk.—
Brody Ford,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
According to this idea, although these objects may look like supersize red stars, their shine is powered not by standard stellar thermonuclear fusion but rather by the relentless funneling of burning-hot plasma into the insatiable maw of a snowballing black hole.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The retailer voluntarily supported local environmental, cultural, and preservation initiatives during the campaign’s production.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
-
What is clear is that Oklahoma has become a central player in a national strategy that treats detention not as a means of ensuring public safety, but as an end in itself, a system designed to pressure immigrants into giving up their legal claims and leaving the country voluntarily.—
Ben Fenwick,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
For many of us, a spritz is best enjoyed under a blazing sun, preferably next to the water, maybe wearing as little as possible.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Let the cards and crafts travel freely between homes.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Money may flow freely as the intuitive Moon moves through your 2nd House of Resources, trining lucky Jupiter in your 10th House of Goals.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Sometimes that presented itself more readily than other times, and some entries were more of a struggle.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Iron is most readily available to the body in meat and certain types of fish.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Willingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willingly. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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