as in conscious
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing
a hard-nosed industrialist with a willed indifference to public opinion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bequeathed
to give by means of a will
willed their house to their adult children
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in pleased
to see fit
do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of willed
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
The entire texture of that life, its willed imposture.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
Pope Francis fervently willed the Acutis sainthood case forward — convinced that the church needed someone like him to attract young Catholics to the faith while addressing the promises and perils of the digital age.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willed
Adjective
Connor McDavid almost single-handedly willed the Oilers to a comeback win in Game 1 with four points from the end of the second period onward.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
The entire texture of that life, its willed imposture.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
His birth overshadowed by his family’s greatest tragedy, Daniel found succor in movies and willed himself into the dreamworld of Hollywood.
—David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
Pope Francis fervently willed the Acutis sainthood case forward — convinced that the church needed someone like him to attract young Catholics to the faith while addressing the promises and perils of the digital age.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willed
Adjective
-
Even calling it a magazine is a conscious way of trying to distinguish the work producers are putting months and months of effort into recording and writing from what podcasting has become.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And while an uncertain economy and ever-skyrocketing cost of living are making people more price-conscious and wary, Razavi explained that this also opens up the possibilities for growth as consumers are now more open to other shopping avenues.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There are also wooden pews made for the school’s Bond Chapel and 72,000 glass slides from the art-history department, all of which were bequeathed to Gates over the years.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
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Following her death in 2022, the tiara was bequeathed to Queen Camilla.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, a portion of their fanbase likely isn't all that pleased that the organization seems to be essentially giving up on any hopes of turning things around this season by making these moves.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
That was a game that, upon reflection, disappointed us with the result but extremely pleased us with the performance.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Officials have yet to determine whether the explosion was accidental or deliberate.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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It should be said that the NTSB — the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the cause(s) of the crash — takes a very deliberate approach.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Those deployments were politically controversial at the time, especially to those in the South who wanted to preserve the Jim Crow system of segregation.—
Peter D. Feaver,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Albert, clearly infatuated, wanted George to meet Betty, and that’s when the older brother locked eyes with Charme, who was 19 years old at the time.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Although the positions are voluntary, state law does not prohibit board members from setting compensation for themselves once appointed.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The market for voluntary carbon offset and removal credits has been struggling for the last several years to repair a reputation sullied by numerous greenwashing scandals.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When things later calmed down, Mossack Fonseca did resign from some clients that wished to leave.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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The pair have been married for 51 years, according to an Instagram post from April 2025, in which Arlene wished a happy 80th birthday to Robert.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
It was knocked away in the end zone and kicked by Nebraska receiver Shevin Wiggins, the intended receiver.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The results can be especially bad if there is bright light behind the intended subject, which produces a silhouette effect.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willed. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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