WILLS Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

wills 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of will

as in bequeaths

to give by means of a will willed their house to their adult children

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in pleases

to see fit do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

wills

2 of 2

noun

plural of will

as in choices

the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions you cannot force me to do anything against my own will

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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 wills

Verb

Agnes virtually wills her back to life. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025 The Moon wills the chart and can make a wishy-washy Libra decisive and direct. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026 In the movie’s fuzzy metaphysics, Shelley wills herself into the consciousness of a character named Ida (also played by Buckley), a young woman angling for survival in 1930s Chicago — a colorful, dangerous world of bawdy lotharios and lethal gangsters. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026

Noun

The Amazon show dares to dream that romantic love need not be a clash of wills. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 But an attorney who specializes in wills and trusts can point you in the right direction. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026 My latest novel, The Last Lady B, has a gothic twist (think ghosts and lost wills). — Eloisa James, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026 How beneficiary designations align with wills or trusts. — Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 In 2010, French Gates cofounded the Giving Pledge, the promise the ultra-wealthy can make to give away their money in their lifetimes or their wills. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 June 2026 Attorneys and advocates say more undocumented parents are drafting wills and guardianship papers, preparing for the possibility that they could be detained, deported or die during enforcement. — Monique O. Madan, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026 Fidelity’s guidance on finances after divorce warns that neglecting to update beneficiaries on bank and retirement accounts and life insurance policies is a common error, and that those designations can supersede wills and trusts. — Rebecca L. Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026 Quicken LifeHub is a life organization system that stores key information for your family, including wills, health directives, internet passwords, travel documents and emergency health information. — Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wills

Verb

Proponents argue recordings would solve a long-standing crisis that leaves many proceedings with no verbatim record.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Detergent overdosing also leaves behind a film on the inside of the washer, which feeds mold and causes odors.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Definition of leaves

Verb

Coastal decor darling Serena & Lily brings you the Pacifica modular collection to suit any configuration that pleases you.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2026
For something more substantial, Ramsey’s pleases both vegetarians and meat eaters with options such as BBQ brisket sandwich with homemade onion straws or Zucchini Noodle Thai Bowl.

— Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of pleases

Verb

The court's decision does not eliminate the agencies themselves but will allow them to be packed with only Republicans or only Democrats, if a president wishes, giving the White House more direct control over their functions.

— Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 29 June 2026
According to reports, the company wishes to extend operations at Ginna Clean Energy Center and Nine Mile Point Unit 1 reactors until at least 2049.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 June 2026

Definition of wishes

Verb

By establishing child care as a valid use of campaign funds, Grechen Shirley said, the question is no longer who can afford to run for office, but who really wants to serve their community.

— Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 1 July 2026
If James wants to return to the Heat, the team would have interest, a source conveyed to The Miami Herald on Tuesday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026