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

• 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

As her condition worsens, her fiancé’s brooding cousin becomes an unwilling participant in the evil forces tormenting her. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025

Behtiyar plays the assertive Aishe as a young woman unwilling to surrender her dignity or dwell on anguish. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025

The Patriots couldn’t find a taker in trade talks and were unwilling to eat enough of his contract for Dugger’s top suitor, according to a source. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Aug. 2025

The former president had probably dreamt of the moment of her upcoming detention before, imagining crowds of frenzied supporters standing between her and the police , unwilling to allow their leader to be soiled by the dirty hands of the crooked security forces. —Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 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