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

But for an unwilling or unprepared person immersed in this place, these attributes can become much more menacing. —Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Despite evidence of persistent problems with racial and gender discrimination, Rice said, the department’s top brass have seemed unwilling to embrace change. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026

Murphy rejected the characterization that Democrats have been unwilling to sit down. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026

Tottenham also asked about RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, who has had an excellent debut season in the Bundesliga, but were met with a swift rejection, with the German club unwilling to entertain interest until the end of the season. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 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