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

The trade comes amid the Dolphins’ 2-7 start to the season and just days after the franchise mutually parted ways with former general manager Chris Grier, who reportedly was unwilling to trade the 26-year-old. —Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025

The fate of the Skenes era is in the hands of an owner who has historically been unwilling to spend. —Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

However, Ando seems unwilling to rest on his laurels, determined to continue driving progress, attract more local cinemagoers and strengthen the event’s impact beyond cinema. —Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025

If the Cubs are unwilling to go that high, the team could spend elsewhere. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

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