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 multiyear shortage of construction has kept prices high, while mortgage rates spiking in the aftermath of the pandemic have left many renters unable to buy and existing owners unwilling to part with their current properties. —Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026

Iran was either unable or unwilling to help Hamas or Hezbollah fend off Israeli attacks. —Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026

European carriers are adding capacity on routes to Asia for passengers unwilling or unable to transit through the Gulf, using aircraft that would usually be heading to Doha or Dubai. —Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026

If Iran were unable or unwilling to participate, FIFA, per its own World Cup regulations, would have broad discretion to call in a replacement team or adjust the tournament accordingly. —Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 11 Mar. 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