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

Such moves have made Trump a hero in parts of the country where Americans have been unwilling or unable to pivot away from coal. —Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026

And the album’s title track is resolutely unwilling to choose a corner between deep, dark house and dubstep, like a Croydon Larry Heard. —Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026

The failure is not only one of policy, but of execution — compounded by a political culture increasingly unwilling to measure outcomes honestly, to welcome scrutiny, or to honestly confront evidence that favored approaches are failing. —Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

With sellers holding out for pre-rate-hike valuations and buyers unwilling to pay them, deal flow essentially froze. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 June 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