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
Aubrey Jackson Soller, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
That bet might not pay off over time, especially given that Rodriguez is already willing to publicly slam the administration.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
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
Research suggests that when law enforcement treats people fairly, without bias and with respect, people will view them as more legitimate, and in turn may be more willing to cooperate with them.
—Aubrey Jackson Soller, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
That bet might not pay off over time, especially given that Rodriguez is already willing to publicly slam the administration.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Since then, Qatar has come to play the most prominent role in mediating between warring countries and factions within countries, willing itself into a mediation powerhouse spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
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
-
McClain had just finished up her associate's degree and was ready to transfer elsewhere.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Enter this one-pan version that serves eight and is ready in about an hour—most of which is baking time.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Democrats were quick to seize on the internal Republican criticism.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
-
In contrast to the relatively quick pickup for the show’s second season — which came about three weeks after its premiere — Netflix waited more than two months to decide the show’s future this time around.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 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
-
Berlin has fewer wealthy residents than Munich or Düsseldorf, and many of its homegrown brands remain small, leaving founders fearful of the rising costs of operating a store.—
Maliha Shoaib,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Since the passage of ObamaCare, the GOP has repeatedly failed to successfully field an alternative vision — leaving more Americans with insurance cards but fewer who can afford it.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In emails sent in March and April 2003, Wasserman — who was married at the time — writes to Maxwell about wanting to book a massage and wanting to see her in a tight leather outfit.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
A lot of players also left in the summer and the lack of game time played a key factor in those squad members — including Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah and Tyler Morton — wanting to seek opportunities elsewhere.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But Porter seemed less inclined to alter a recent rule change that grouped coaches and contributors with old-time players that played a role in Belichick missing out despite winning a record six Super Bowls as a head coach.—
Josh Dubow,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Porter didn’t seem inclined to change that process, saying that for more than 50 years coaches and contributors were grouped with players before changes about 10 years ago.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Reservists are generally deployed for tasks in the Netherlands, but have occasionally also been sent overseas on a voluntary basis, said ministry spokesperson Meijer.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Under voluntary rules, lawn watering is limited to twice a week on a rotating schedule.—
Jenny Staletovich,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 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 11 Feb. 2026.
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