1
: having a will especially of a specified kind
—usually used in combination
strong-willed
2
Synonyms
Examples of willed in a Sentence
a hard-nosed industrialist with a willed indifference to public opinion
Recent Examples on the Web
What follows is part documentary account and part metafictional experiment, a willed mix of art and therapy that unfolds almost entirely in a series of rooms.
—
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
He was opinionated, strong willed and colorful in his language.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2023
Kindness suggests that there’s a moral universe out there, in which we’re all connected to one another, whereas standup is a willed isolation: a solo performer on a stage taking on the world.
—Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023
Though the family says the shack was willed to Salvatore, the agency won’t recognize the inheritance.
—Lindsay Crudele, BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2023
By the force of his charismatic personality, Mr. Mondavi, a hard-driving visionary who established the Robert Mondavi Winery after being forced out of the family business, practically willed Napa to strive for greatness.
—Eric Asimov, New York Times, 15 June 2023
They were morbidly preoccupied by willed starvation, rags, straw beds, self-flagellation.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
People are not lazy, gluttonous or weak-willed.
—Jeffrey Lee, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021
Strong-willed, strong-headed.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2023
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Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
He was opinionated, strong willed and colorful in his language.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2023
Kindness suggests that there’s a moral universe out there, in which we’re all connected to one another, whereas standup is a willed isolation: a solo performer on a stage taking on the world.
—Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023
Though the family says the shack was willed to Salvatore, the agency won’t recognize the inheritance.
—Lindsay Crudele, BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2023
By the force of his charismatic personality, Mr. Mondavi, a hard-driving visionary who established the Robert Mondavi Winery after being forced out of the family business, practically willed Napa to strive for greatness.
—Eric Asimov, New York Times, 15 June 2023
They were morbidly preoccupied by willed starvation, rags, straw beds, self-flagellation.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
People are not lazy, gluttonous or weak-willed.
—Jeffrey Lee, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021
Strong-willed, strong-headed.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'willed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of willed was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing willed
Dictionary Entries Near willed
Cite this Entry
“Willed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willed. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
willed
adjective
: having a will especially of a certain kind
strong-willed
More from Merriam-Webster on willed
Nglish: Translation of willed for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of willed for Arabic Speakers
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