willing

will·ing | \ ˈwi-liŋ

How to pronounce willing (audio)

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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 But so far, millions of people are willing to accept virtually no yield so long as their assets remains safe. — Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, "This recession has exposed key myths, misconceptions about the economy. Here's how," 13 July 2020 Even just the priming of victimhood has been shown to increase ongoing conflicts, with the priming leading to reduced levels of empathy toward the adversary and people being more willing to accept less collective guilt for current harm. — Scott Barry Kaufman, Scientific American, "Unraveling the Mindset of Victimhood," 29 June 2020 And few employers paying $10 an hour or less are willing to make a job offer and then wait to fill the position while the applicant finds child care. — Lillian Mongeau, USA TODAY, "High-quality daycare is too expensive. Government subsidies are making it worse.," 28 June 2020 Gahl said national and in-state travel data show that travelers are more willing to drive than fly during the pandemic and want stay close to home. — Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, "FFA cancels Indianapolis convention, extends contract to 2033," 26 June 2020 The biggest question concerns the risk that NASA is willing to accept in putting its people on these space vehicles. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Rocket Report: Used Falcon 9s to launch humans, Scottish spaceport advances," 26 June 2020 Ford has been willing to make major revisions to the F-150 before. — Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, "Ford's new F-150 will test whether truck buyers really want hybrids," 25 June 2020 But with Trump in the White House and elected Republicans terrified of incurring his supporters’ wrath, there is now, in parts of red America, nobody willing to make this argument or to follow through with actual edicts. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, "As New York Reaches a Coronavirus Landmark, Parts of Red America Are Facing a Potential Disaster," 19 June 2020 But what if some team is willing to make that leap with Kaepernick? — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, "If Colin Kaepernick comes back, will he float in today’s NFL?," 10 June 2020

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.

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Dictionary Entries near willing

will-in-the-wisp

Statistics for willing

Last Updated

6 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Willing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willing. Accessed 15 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for willing

willing

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of willing

: not refusing to do something

: quick to act or respond : doing something or ready to do something without being persuaded

: done, made, or given by choice

See the full definition for willing in the English Language Learners Dictionary

willing

will·ing | \ ˈwi-liŋ

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Kids Definition of willing

1 : feeling no objection I'm willing to go.

2 : not slow or lazy She's a willing worker.

3 : made, done, or given by choice : voluntary a willing sacrifice

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