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

His mistake has been ceding his power to someone who is emotionally immature and unwilling to see her father in a happy, healthy relationship. —Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025

This quickly descended into hilarity when the coaches further ambushed their unwilling challengers with a full-court press for the entire 12 minutes. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025

If the Mets are still unwilling to commit to him long-term, the team will need to explore new options at first base. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Orpheus, unwilling to have anything to do with women again, chooses to become a swan in his next life, while a swan decides to become a man. —David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 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