1
as in ready
having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action)
I'm a little confused, but perfectly willing to do as you ask
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quick
having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation
she's always lent a willing hand whenever a neighbor needed help or a friend a favor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in volunteer
done, made, or given with one's own free will
a willing sacrifice of her limited free time for a good cause
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in leaving
to give by means of a will
willed their house to their adult children
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in wanting
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 willing
Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 20 Jan. 2026
How much is the company willing to pay to reduce injuries?
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
James McNicholas, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
From his first moments onscreen in a performance of Duracell Bunny physicality and motormouth pushiness, Chalamet conveys the sense of a shameless young man willing himself toward greatness with a combination of chutzpah, amorality and unshakeable self-belief.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willing
Adjective
Educators and school leaders have told Oklahoma Voice the policy has had a positive impact by removing a major distraction and that families have been willing to comply because of the equal implementation statewide.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 20 Jan. 2026
How much is the company willing to pay to reduce injuries?
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Against Wolves on Saturday, there was a moment in the second half when the ball was played forward to him and the Emirates Stadium crowd was vocally willing him to hold it up.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
From his first moments onscreen in a performance of Duracell Bunny physicality and motormouth pushiness, Chalamet conveys the sense of a shameless young man willing himself toward greatness with a combination of chutzpah, amorality and unshakeable self-belief.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willing
Adjective
-
Nearly a quarter of all fresher roles now require AI or data-related skills, up from just 5%–10% three years ago, said Alug, adding that AI skilling in India needs urgent attention because the talent gap is widening fast as demand for AI-ready workers grows.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Do this simple test to find out if your soil is ready.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hence the nature of our fear, the seamless way in which the AI can produce a quick copy, if not literature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Bathroom counters are quick to collect stains from makeup, skincare, and toothpaste.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Within the past couple of years, the group has become a part of Arrowhead Kingdom, an all-volunteer national network of Chiefs fan groups.—
Hannah Kirby,
Journal Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2023
-
That’s noteworthy for a show based at a high-school auditorium in Litchfield and run by a staff that is almost entirely volunteer, including the show’s star and its producer.—
Susan Dunne,
Hartford Courant,
18 Aug. 2022
Verb
-
The suspect, 27-year-old Eric Ramon Alcantara-Guevara, is charged with vehicular homicide, DUI and leaving the scene of an accident knowing a death resulted following the crash Sunday night on Interstate 640 West in Knoxville.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
For letting Amma wear a crisp, white uniform and leaving Vinny Uncle to read Curly Wee comics.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The family asks that anyone wanting to honour Rob donate to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia or Support Act.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Dan crouched beside her, not wanting to say any‑ thing, covering his eye with his hand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And Michael Hodges is musically inclined and, uh, a savant in many ways.—
Craig Lindsey,
Houston Chronicle,
8 Jan. 2026
-
While the Rodríguez siblings may be prepared to absorb this to preserve stability and their own survival, hard-line military figures could be far less inclined to do so.—
Rebecca Hanson,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The program was also voluntary — if residents saw fit just to throw all their recyclable glass and aluminum and paper into the regular garbage there was nothing stopping them from doing so.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But that doesn’t mean anyone took it easy on Sherrod, who always participated in voluntary class time.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Effectively, Newsom’s slow roll protects him from taking any meaningful actions, thus bequeathing reparations to his successor, like his many other unresolved California issues.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Rewriting society’s decision-making Unlike biased pundits who hem, haw and hedge their bets, Web3 prediction markets cut through noise, bequeathing a signal that feeds into pricing mechanisms themselves.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willing. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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