1
as in choice
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions
oftentimes the dialect we speak is completely beyond our volition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in option
the power, right, or opportunity to choose
left the church of her own volition, not because she was excommunicated
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 volition
For one thing, Hind finds that Numan is gone in the morning, having returned to the city of his own volition.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Whether in London, Paris or New York, at Conde Nast, and more specifically at the Vogue editions, the top editors don’t usually leave their coveted posts of their own volition.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The pattern that has set in between them over recent days has in an instant shattered and, for Emil, without volition.
—Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
This need for the child to express volition in the fulfillment of male desires was mentioned in the book, too.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volition
Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Whether in London, Paris or New York, at Conde Nast, and more specifically at the Vogue editions, the top editors don’t usually leave their coveted posts of their own volition.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The pattern that has set in between them over recent days has in an instant shattered and, for Emil, without volition.
—Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
This need for the child to express volition in the fulfillment of male desires was mentioned in the book, too.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volition
Noun
-
Casado also seemed to enjoy himself, reminding fans of his breakout performances last year at times, but De Jong remains first-choice in that midfield role.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The show is presented as a response to the official Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny as the choice of the Puerto Rican mega-star drew backlash from conservatives.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For people who like to drink a glass or two of milk a day and may have cardiovascular concerns, lower-fat dairy may be a better option.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Then, as Musk has been prone to do, the former presidential adviser disregarded much of his previous explanation and said that building a civilization on Mars was still an option, just that building on the Moon is SpaceX’s current priority.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But Gatsby Africa’s insights from those on the ground show that Kenya’s grip on growth is tenuous and largely dependent upon the duty-free benefits afforded by the preference program.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Feb. 2026
-
At 6-foot-10, Šarić could help the Bulls redistribute their size toward bigger lineups, which have become a preference of the front office this season.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Volition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volition. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
