1
: having a will especially of a specified kind
usually used in combination
strong-willed
2

Examples of willed in a Sentence

a hard-nosed industrialist with a willed indifference to public opinion
Recent Examples on the Web FitzGerald is Brooks, the mission’s strong willed and determined co-pilot, while Fiennes Tiffin plays Rhodes, an idealistic astronaut on his first mission. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023 What follows is part documentary account and part metafictional experiment, a willed mix of art and therapy that unfolds almost entirely in a series of rooms. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023 He was opinionated, strong willed and colorful in his language. Penelope Green, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2023 Kindness suggests that there’s a moral universe out there, in which we’re all connected to one another, whereas standup is a willed isolation: a solo performer on a stage taking on the world. Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023 Though the family says the shack was willed to Salvatore, the agency won’t recognize the inheritance. Lindsay Crudele, BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2023 By the force of his charismatic personality, Mr. Mondavi, a hard-driving visionary who established the Robert Mondavi Winery after being forced out of the family business, practically willed Napa to strive for greatness. Eric Asimov, New York Times, 15 June 2023 They were morbidly preoccupied by willed starvation, rags, straw beds, self-flagellation. Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023 People are not lazy, gluttonous or weak-willed. Jeffrey Lee, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'willed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of willed was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near willed

Cite this Entry

“Willed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

willed

adjective
: having a will especially of a certain kind
strong-willed

More from Merriam-Webster on willed

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