willing

adjective

will·ing | \ˈwi-liŋ

Definition of willing

1 : inclined or favorably disposed in mind : ready willing and eager to help

2 : prompt to act or respond lending a willing hand

3 : done, borne, or accepted by choice or without reluctance a willing sacrifice

4 : of or relating to the will or power of choosing : volitional

Other Words from willing Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about willing

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Choose the Right Synonym for willing

voluntary, intentional, deliberate, willing mean done or brought about of one's own will. voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion. a voluntary confession intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved. the intentional concealment of vital information deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences. deliberate acts of sabotage willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another. willing obedience

Examples of willing in a Sentence

He was a willing participant in the crime. She's lending a willing hand.

Recent Examples on the Web

The winners will be those willing to accept the lowest prices. — Jacky Wong, WSJ, "Solving China’s Drugs-Price Problem Is Hurting Drugmakers," 7 Dec. 2018 Is the Republican Party too far gone, too willing to countenance anti-democratic behavior, to be able to reform itself? — Zack Beauchamp, Vox, "The Wisconsin power grab is part of a bigger Republican attack on democracy," 6 Dec. 2018 Consequently, its employees are often regarded as happy, willing, and even docile. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Facebook’s morale problem is getting worse," 6 Dec. 2018 One is tolerance, open-mindedness, willing to take risks, craziness, diversity, all kinds of things. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "How to make a big company more innovative," 30 Nov. 2018 Shake-ups Lots of industry movement this week, some willing and some very much not. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Alan Wake is back on sale after a 17 month absence, Layers of Fear 2 announced," 26 Oct. 2018 Raina wants revenge on her father for her mother’s death (fair) and is willing to give Jack Bass control of Bass Industries in exchange. — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, "Every Single Episode of Gossip Girl, Ranked," 19 Sep. 2018 Men should be clean shaven and willing to get a period haircut. — Eileen Reslen, Country Living, "Dolly Parton Is Looking for Extras to Appear in Her Upcoming Netflix Series," 27 Aug. 2018 Perhaps the most illuminating part of the survey was where respondents revealed what they’d be willing to give up for a week in order to keep using their phones. — Carrie Battan, Harper's BAZAAR, "Escaping the Seduction of Your Smartphone," 26 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'willing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.