as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
trying to summon the willpower to resist buying any more books before finishing the unread ones I already have
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of willpower
But the issue is not indicative of willpower or lack thereof, but a sign that someone may be dealing with an issue such as bad sleep hygiene, disturbed sleep throughout the night, or an underlying sleep disorder, Schütz said.
—
Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
This chakra governs our personal power, identity, beliefs, willpower and ego.
Light: Open-minded, confident, playful, intelligent, organized, self-assured.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Content oversight and quality assurance provided by Studio 1847
Obesity is a real medical condition — it’s not just caused by poor willpower or overeating.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
The world’s best reeled off 17 points in a row against Gauff to lead 4-1 in the first set, but the second proved a classic battle of willpower with the American going 5-3 up before her opponent finally broke at the fifth time of asking.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for willpower
Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
This chakra governs our personal power, identity, beliefs, willpower and ego.
Light: Open-minded, confident, playful, intelligent, organized, self-assured.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Content oversight and quality assurance provided by Studio 1847
Obesity is a real medical condition — it’s not just caused by poor willpower or overeating.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
The world’s best reeled off 17 points in a row against Gauff to lead 4-1 in the first set, but the second proved a classic battle of willpower with the American going 5-3 up before her opponent finally broke at the fifth time of asking.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for willpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willpower
Noun
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Some voices, such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have urged restraint against rushing to defer to Israel’s efforts—putting leading leftists in an odd confluence with folks like Carlson and former Trump counselor Steve Bannon.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
17 June 2025
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While members called for restraint and diplomacy, divisions remain.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Noun
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At many crucial moments (including in Lucy and Harry’s first few dates), this stillness is established with the natural cool of self-control and professionalism and then veers into an astonishing near-sculptural artifice.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
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Research even suggests that delaying goal failure, rather than giving in immediately when you’re tempted to engage in a behavior that defeats your goals, helps maintain a positive self-perception of self-control.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willpower. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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