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

• coerced
• forced
• involuntary
• unintended
• unintentional
• will-less

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

Miko, though, is unwilling to tell her father this news, and the pair conduct their affair in secret. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 12 July 2024

The remark was taken as a signal that Zaslav was unwilling to enter a deal that did not make financial sense for a company with around $40 billion in debt. —Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024

Moreover, the government is not responsible for subsidizing housing simply because large corporations are unwilling to provide reasonable wages to their employees. —Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024

Congress has been unable and unwilling to make common sense rules regarding immigration for many years. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unwilling

adjective

un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwil-iŋ 

ˈən-

: not willing

unwillingly adverb

unwillingness noun