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
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
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
Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
Missouri seemed to run at will against the Jayhawks, which included a game-clinching 63-yard touchdown by running back Jamal Roberts.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for will
Verb
Until then, what Coppola has done is willed an ephemeral following into being, for just six nights—and maybe, for him, for now, that’s enough.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
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
Noun
Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino in Assisi, tells NPR that Acutis' lightning-fast rise is a confluence between God's will and the needs of the Catholic Church in this particular era.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
Missouri seemed to run at will against the Jayhawks, which included a game-clinching 63-yard touchdown by running back Jamal Roberts.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for will
Recent Examples of Synonyms for will
Verb
-
He was charged with felony counts of leaving the scene of crash involving death, driving without a license causing death and resisting arrest, the sheriff’s office said.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Investigators said that parties involved in the argument were leaving the indoor amusement park when Reed assaulted an employee, unprovoked, while making his way outside.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By February, Dudek had become the conduit between DOGE and the SSA, alerting top agency officials that DOGE wanted to work at headquarters.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
-
And after Detroit defeated Green Bay, 34-31, in Week 14 last season, many Packers talked about wanting to see the Lions again in the postseason.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Americans for Prosperity ― Ogles' former employer and that of many of his congressional staff ― is a political special interest group that advocates for limited government, free markets and fiscal restraint.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Enyedi has often made meditative cinema, but here her restraint in some sequences verges on suffocating.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This grew far beyond the typical choice routes coming out of the backfield.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Red twig dogwood Red twig dogwood is another great choice.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Kenwood painting was part of the Iveagh collection bequeathed by Lord Iveagh in 1927.—
Gareth Harris,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Get the recipe > Creamy, cheesy, and satisfying, this dip is sure to please at your next late-summer get together.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Film studios have long struggled to make adaptations of video games that please critics and audiences, and some critics have suggested video games are tough to adapt because the sheer volume of gaming content has to be condensed to fit the length of a movie.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Wolf’s new deal is a testament to his determination.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Her strength of character, artistic vision, and fierce determination remain profoundly inspiring today.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Elsewhere there will be Waiting For the Out, the adaptation of Andy West’s memoir written by Dennis Kelly about a philosopher teaching prisoners concepts such as dominance and free will only to have his own past unravel.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
This poor robot is discovering free will and decision paralysis.—
Rafael Motamayor,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/will. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share