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

Analysts say Cameroon’s elites are unwilling to disrupt the political order after decades of Biya’s rule. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025

But the Rams seem unwilling to accept such handouts this season. —J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

On Thursday, the Senate failed to advance stop-gap funding bills for the seventh time, with Republican and Democratic lawmakers appearing unwilling to give up on their own party’s demands. —Sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025

With Hamas facing unprecedented international isolation, its allies either unable or unwilling to help, the group appears set on abiding by the peace agreement. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 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