1
2
as in to want
to see fit
do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of will
ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
And a mention that Victor was a big believer in the philosophical concept of elan vital, the idea that all organic material holds an intangible force willing it into being.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Those items are related to policies that deal with board members’ duties and requirements, meeting rules, and employment practices related to at-will employment, and employee assignments and schedules.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for will
Verb
That continued during every stoppage on the bench, as though trying to will his team to stay on its shocking course.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
And a mention that Victor was a big believer in the philosophical concept of elan vital, the idea that all organic material holds an intangible force willing it into being.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
The world today is divided territorially into more than 190 countries, each of which possesses a national government that claims to exercise sovereignty and seeks to compel obedience to its will by its citizens.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Those items are related to policies that deal with board members’ duties and requirements, meeting rules, and employment practices related to at-will employment, and employee assignments and schedules.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for will
Recent Examples of Synonyms for will
Verb
-
These learnings now sit at the foundation of the Buahan concept and not only ensure that the hotel leaves a positive impact on the community, but also provide guests a level of immersion into the Balinese way of life that few other hotels of this caliber have managed to deliver.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That leaves a sicker, older, more expensive pool of enrollees, which pushes up premiums for everyone.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last year, new college graduates wanted remote, high-paying jobs that aligned with their values.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Michaels, who traveled to the Capitol last year to press for the files’ release, wanted Bondi gone.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hegseth came out of his own service, in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the seeming conviction that what had stood in the way of a fuller victory in those wars had been the restraints supposedly placed on how soldiers could kill.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In a culture that rewards fast takes, that kind of restraint is rare.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Make choices that satisfy your soul.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The choice of Walsh over Baylor Scheierman — who started for Brown on Friday and has been above Walsh on the depth chart for the last two-plus months — was notable, as the former had not started a game since New Year’s Day.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Indyke and Kahn serve as co-executors of Epstein's estate, were bequeathed by Epstein $50 and $25 million respectively, and managed Epstein's legal and financial affairs.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Before the ceremony, the queen bequeathed William the title of Duke of Cambridge.—
Christopher Luu,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bully feels custom-designed to please the diehards exhausted by his noxious antics.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This time around, under Rupert Goold’s actor-forward direction and with Guirgis’s distinctive voiciness, the story has more in common with the canine of its title — there’s a little more swagger, sweetness, and slobber, a little more desire to please.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That work was on display this week as Thomas Jefferson High School junior Bella Smith helped younger students hunt for Easter eggs – a simple moment that mirrors her own determination.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Those determinations complete the World Cup’s 48-team draw, as well as the full schedule, as North America for the first time serves as host.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Magically compelling another, undoing his will, was contrary to the doctrine of free will held by the Church, so Dientes needed to be corrected by the inquisitors.—
Chandler Fritz,
The New York Review of Books,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Assassin’s Creed is a high-octane thriller centered on the secret war between two shadowy factions — one set on determining mankind’s future through control and manipulation, while the other fights to preserve free will.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/will. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
