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
If CosRx can convince people to willingly slather snail mucin on their faces, trusting the brand with hair care is a pretty easy next step.
—
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 June 2026
Hart willingly did the dirty work, snatching up rebounds rather than points.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Our city has willingly taken on the monumental task of honoring each loss.
—Rev. José Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
Then there was Officer Niwa, who willingly fielded questions across from Moynihan Hall.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 11 June 2026
Bell, who’d willingly chosen the juco route, was more interested in sincere investments in his development than instant money.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 June 2026
No one has claimed possession of it, says the complaint, so there is no evidence the Lieser family ever willingly gave anyone else possession of it.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 5 June 2026
Show your generous leadership by offering a clear plan with two workable options, then invite feedback and keep the energy light so people join you willingly.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026
The author, Arthur Koestler, wrote it to explore how a dedicated Communist could bring himself willingly to admit to absurd crimes.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 June 2026
Hart willingly did the dirty work, snatching up rebounds rather than points.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Our city has willingly taken on the monumental task of honoring each loss.
—Rev. José Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
Then there was Officer Niwa, who willingly fielded questions across from Moynihan Hall.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 11 June 2026
Bell, who’d willingly chosen the juco route, was more interested in sincere investments in his development than instant money.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 June 2026
No one has claimed possession of it, says the complaint, so there is no evidence the Lieser family ever willingly gave anyone else possession of it.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 5 June 2026
Show your generous leadership by offering a clear plan with two workable options, then invite feedback and keep the energy light so people join you willingly.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026
The author, Arthur Koestler, wrote it to explore how a dedicated Communist could bring himself willingly to admit to absurd crimes.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willingly
Adverb
-
The menu at Ardys’ food truck is rather sparse compared to its restaurant in Philippine Cultural Center, but the truck could arguably sell just one item and still do just fine.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
In bacteria, transcription factors are rather like keys that fit the locks of unique binding sites on DNA.—
Philip Ball,
Quanta Magazine,
18 June 2026
Adverb
-
Some students voluntarily document every draft — a sign of deepening mistrust between instructors and their classes.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Lead investigator testifies The lead Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigator in charge of the probe testified Friday that Pino voluntarily told him another boat caused the tragedy.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2026
Adverb
-
Greenberg said his near-term plan for the building is to try to lease it out, preferably to a single tenant.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
-
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Adverb
-
Bring it to a summer barbecue and be prepared to field a lot of requests for your recipe; put your own spin on it and share it freely, just like my mom (and Fannie Flagg herself) does.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
-
Axios reported last month that the first stage of the deal would be a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow Iran to sell oil freely.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
14 June 2026
Adverb
-
The most readily available funds are the roughly $12 billion sitting in Qatar, noted Gregory Brew, senior Iran and energy analyst at Eurasia Group.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Consumers face a constant threat of high inflation, readily exacerbated by external shocks such as the Iran war, triggering a demand for safe currency stores.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Willingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willingly. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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