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
Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025
Odenkirk, who started out as a comedian, has willed himself into playing a man who speaks through acts of demolition.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Transfer real estate in your will or through a trust to avoid a major tax bill.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for will
Verb
While Young and Sanders weren’t able to will the first-team offense to success, there were a few still some standouts in the exhibition slate.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025
Odenkirk, who started out as a comedian, has willed himself into playing a man who speaks through acts of demolition.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Still, these reforms remain piecemeal and are isolated to places with political will and financial resources.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Transfer real estate in your will or through a trust to avoid a major tax bill.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for will
Recent Examples of Synonyms for will
Verb
-
In The History of Sound, Mescal plays Lionel Worthing, a talented singer from rural Kentucky who leaves his family farm to attend the Boston Music Conservatory.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For decades, conventional wisdom said Americans didn’t want affordable housing in their own communities.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Every other player in college football pales compared to the want-to-see hype.—
Eduardo Razo,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Fanning — a young performer long admired for her precision and emotional intelligence on screen — brings a quiet ache and layered restraint to the role.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Each kaiseki dish reflects a deep understanding of these methods, applied with restraint and purpose.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Deputy Reckling’s death and Hartig’s rulings Hartig continued to hear cases on an August day, with the judge accused of bullying behavior, facilitating talk of potential civil settlements between lawyers and calmly addressing a woman upset with Hartig's choice to let her civil case move forward.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Hybrid independence is not a destination but a practice; a daily choice to design systems that serve multiple stakeholders across multiple timescales.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The decision has created a major crossroads for the 8-year-old business, which Weaver had intended to bequeath to the descendants of Green.—
Chloe Sorvino,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Following the funeral, John's sister meets with Oscar and tells him that John has bequeathed his manor upstate to him.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Cracker Barrel is acknowledging that its new logo is not pleasing people – while still standing by its new look.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Of course, presidents want to please voters with dirt-cheap mortgages, car loans and credit cards.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Access to the vaccine is largely dependent on location, at least until ACIP makes a final determination in September.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Venezuelans are now awaiting for Chen in San Francisco to issue a final determination on the matter.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For billions of years on this planet, there was life but no free will.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Slurp returned to the shed of his own free will after eating the brains of the driver’s ed instructor (RIP).—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/will. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share