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
-
Quince Italian Leather Drawstring Pouch Crossbody The more budget-conscious crossbody has all the hallmarks of a designer bag.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
As a result, several surveys have indicated that this holiday shopping season may be more muted than in 2024, as increasingly budget-conscious customers grapple with rising prices and broader financial challenges.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 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
-
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
-
But Moyes will be pleased by the impact made by his substitutes against Palace, Alcaraz chief among them.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The tactic, analysts say, is deliberate – part of a broader effort to wear down Taiwan’s air force, degrade equipment and exhaust Taiwan’s personnel.—
Eryk Michael Smith,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Every detail feels deliberate yet easy and unforced.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, Wang wanted to wait until their second official wedding in Asia.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Lots of boys wanted to be like him, to be accepted, given attention, admired and loved by teachers, but the rest of us were looked down upon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Back in August, Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor said roughly 300,000 federal workers would be gone from the government by the end of the year, noting that 80% of those departures were voluntary.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
-
It is not accredited by any major zoo or sanctuary associations, which is voluntary and comes with stricter welfare and conservation standards.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One coworker, dressed as Prince, wished to meet Mariah Carey, but only got a cardboard cutout.—
Lizzie Hyman,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The mother of one went on to thank her friends, the Barbados tourism board, and everyone who wished her a happy birthday.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In fact, though, this is exactly the intended consequence.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, the core messages can get garbled if the media can’t keep up with the intended meaning.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willed. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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