Synonyms of will

will 1 of 2

verb

ˈwil 

1

as in to leave

to give by means of a will

willed their house to their adult children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• leave
• bequeath
• devise
• pass (down)
• deed
• hand on
• hand down

2

as in to want

to see fit

do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

• want
• please
• wish
• choose
• like
• desire
• long (for)
• crave
• covet
• die (for)
• pine (for)
• decide
• fancy
• hunger (for)
• resolve
• yearn (for)
• determine
• sigh (for)
• lust (for or after)
• itch (for)
• pant (after)
• thirst (for)
• ache (for)
• repine (for)
• hanker (for)

will

2 of 2

noun

ˈwil 

1

as in restraint

the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions

she kept her face still by sheer force of will

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restraint
• determination
• nerve
• willpower
• confidence
• self-discipline
• temperance
• composure
• temperateness
• self-control
• assurance
• discipline
• self-government
• control
• self-restraint
• self-mastery
• continence
• moderation
• self-command
• self-possession
• self-containment
• mastery
• command
• poise
• discretion
• avoidance
• forbearance
• equanimity
• moderateness
• self-confidence
• abnegation
• soberness
• abstention
• self-denial
• abstinence
• self-abnegation
• sobriety
• coolness
• aplomb
• eschewal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gratification
• indulgence
• failing
• fault
• intemperance
• vice
• weakness
• shortcoming
• overindulgence
• excessiveness
• frailty
• feebleness
• demerit
• self-indulgence
• foible
• immoderacy
• intemperateness
• indiscipline
• unrestraint
• unreserve
• unconstraint
• unreservedness

2

as in choice

the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions

you cannot force me to do anything against my own will

Synonyms & Similar Words

• choice
• free will
• option
• volition
• autonomy
• accord
• preference
• tendency
• self-determination
• devices
• election
• selection
• inclination
• propensity
• pick
• predisposition
• bent
• predilection
• alternative
• penchant
• discretion
• proclivity
• disposition
• way
• partiality
• leaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• force
• pressure
• constraint
• coercion
• compulsion
• duress

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of will

Verb

Messi willed Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, won four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona and was honored a record eight times with the Ballon d’Or, given the world’s top player each year. — Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

Brunson shot 7-of-22 in the first three quarters, but went 5-of-9 to secure another clutch finish to will his team to its 12th consecutive postseason win. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026

Noun

Law enforcement officials believe Guthrie was taken against her will from her Catalina Foothills home; her phone, wallet, car and medication were left behind. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

On July 9, the US Federal Communications Commission approved the construction and launch of a mirror satellite that would bend our star’s illuminating rays to our will from low Earth orbit. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 15 July 2026

Phrases Containing will

• free will
• ill will