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

Witnesses may be unavailable or unwilling to speak. —Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026

At some point, inflation becomes the least politically painful way to manage obligations that voters are unwilling to finance through taxes or spending cuts. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026

Dolphins a longshot at best, especially with Fins among teams unwilling to give Harbaugh say over the general manager. —Greg Cote january 11, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026

Another violent image now joins the grim archive that has made Minnesota an unwilling stage for national trauma for years running. —Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 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