unwilling

adjective

un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwi-liŋ How to pronounce unwilling (audio)
: not willing:
a
: loath, reluctant
was unwilling to learn
b
: done or given reluctantly
unwilling approval
c
: offering opposition : obstinate
an unwilling student
unwillingly adverb
unwillingness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The one stipulation that Olney reported was that the Royals were unwilling to part with the core of their pitching staff. Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 Lacking clear guidance on what constitutes acceptable use of AI, more than half are unwilling to admit using AI at work. Anjali Chaudhry, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 The restaurant industry depends on immigrants to do jobs others are often unwilling to do, Chucri said. Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025 But for all this time, Republicans have proven unwilling to withstand overwrought attacks about wanting to kill Big Bird. The Editors, National Review, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unwilling

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unwilling was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unwilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwilling. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

unwilling

adjective
un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwil-iŋ How to pronounce unwilling (audio)
ˈən-
: not willing
unwillingly adverb
unwillingness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unwilling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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