unwilling

adjective

un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwi-liŋ 

: not willing:

a

: loath, reluctant

was unwilling to learn

b

: done or given reluctantly

unwilling approval

c

: offering opposition : obstinate

an unwilling student

unwillingly

ˌən-ˈwi-liŋ-lē 

adverb

unwillingness noun

Synonyms of unwilling

• forced
• spontaneous
• accidental
• coerced

Examples of unwilling in a Sentence

He was an unwilling participant in the demonstration.

unwilling contributions from city employees who felt pressured to do so

Recent Examples on the Web

Fedorov appears unwilling to accept another government post unless he is reinstated as defense minister, the same demand many protesters continue to make. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

So far, the Houthis have been unable or unwilling to enforce the blockade that the militant group announced Tuesday. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Liverpool were prepared to offer a package approaching €100m, but Leipzig were unwilling to accept it. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 20 July 2026

The teachers union has been unwilling to acknowledge the district’s lack of resources; now the union has to deal with the consequences of that painful reality. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unwilling

• backfilling
• distilling
• fulfilling
• infilling
• instilling
• refilling
• sawmilling
• billing
• chilling
• drilling
• filling
• grilling

Kids Definition

unwilling

adjective

un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwil-iŋ 

ˈən-

: not willing

unwillingly adverb

unwillingness noun