Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

will

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of will

1 the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions

  • she kept her face still by sheer force of will
Synonyms of will

continence, restraint, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, self-restraint, willpower
Words Related to will

self-abnegation, self-denial

moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness

determination, nerve

command, control, discipline, mastery

abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance

abstinence, soberness, sobriety

aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence

discretion
Near Antonyms of will

gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence

excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence

demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness

indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

2 the act or power of making oneʼs own choices or decisions

  • you cannot force me to do anything against my own will
Synonyms of will

accord, autonomy, choice, free will, self-determination, volition
Words Related to will

election, preference, selection

bent, devices, disposition, inclination, leaning, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency

alternative, discretion, option, pick, way
Near Antonyms of will

coercion, compulsion, constraint, duress, force, pressure

will

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of will

1 to give by means of a will

  • willed their house to their adult children
Synonyms of will

bequeath, leave
Words Related to will

deed

hand down, hand on, pass (down)

devise

2 to see fit

  • do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair
Synonyms of will

choose, like, please, want, wish
Words Related to will

ache (for), covet, crave, desire, die (for), fancy, hanker (for), hunger (for), itch (for), long (for), lust (for or after), pant (after), pine (for), repine (for), sigh (for), thirst (for), yearn (for)

decide, determine, resolve

Learn More about will

  1. See words that rhyme with will Dictionary: Definition of will Spanish Central: Translation of will Nglish: Translation of will for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of will for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about will

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up will? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games