1
as in rather
by choice or preference
I would not willingly eat liver, but sometimes I have no choice
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in voluntarily
of one's own free will
I willingly made the campaign contribution; no one pressured me into doing so
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of willingly
Officers said the girl and her mother willingly got into the man's car.
—
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In the closing seconds, McEnelly willingly took a pair of stall calls to avoid any further attacks, prevailing 4-3 and snapping Welsh’s 40-match win streak.
—Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Dean in Blue Valentine and Luke in The Place Beyond the Pines are two of a kind, individualistic dreamers who step willingly into responsibility and love fully when allowed to, but can’t quite figure out the right way to provide.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
In keeping with the turn away from the imperialists, Lamotte’s book examines early European empire building from the perspective of the indigenous and enslaved people who participated in the process—some willingly, many not.
—David A. Bell, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
But few people who have a choice willingly sign up to be part of a gutted rebuild.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
At the heart of the issue is the danger of AI being used, willingly or not, to discriminate against consumers.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Israel and Hezbollah did agree to a ceasefire in November 2024, which called for Israel to stop its military campaign and to remove their ground forces in southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah to willingly move all of its personnel and military equipment north of the Litani River.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
For example, during one of our productions, a lead was in the hospital, and Muskkan willingly learned the role the day before the performance.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In the closing seconds, McEnelly willingly took a pair of stall calls to avoid any further attacks, prevailing 4-3 and snapping Welsh’s 40-match win streak.
—Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Dean in Blue Valentine and Luke in The Place Beyond the Pines are two of a kind, individualistic dreamers who step willingly into responsibility and love fully when allowed to, but can’t quite figure out the right way to provide.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
In keeping with the turn away from the imperialists, Lamotte’s book examines early European empire building from the perspective of the indigenous and enslaved people who participated in the process—some willingly, many not.
—David A. Bell, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
But few people who have a choice willingly sign up to be part of a gutted rebuild.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
At the heart of the issue is the danger of AI being used, willingly or not, to discriminate against consumers.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Israel and Hezbollah did agree to a ceasefire in November 2024, which called for Israel to stop its military campaign and to remove their ground forces in southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah to willingly move all of its personnel and military equipment north of the Litani River.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
For example, during one of our productions, a lead was in the hospital, and Muskkan willingly learned the role the day before the performance.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willingly
Adverb
-
Kansas has not been a program built on turning over its roster every season but rather generating improvement from those already on it — and then trying to find ways to fill in the gaps when necessary.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If the goal is truly to protect consumers, the solution does not lie in reducing the visibility of the legal market through federal prohibitions, but rather in avoiding excessive intervention.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Over the summer, Fleischmann voluntarily agreed to vacate a previous brick-and-mortar location in northwest suburban Huntley as part of a settlement agreement with her landlord.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
People who know how substandard these homes are don’t voluntarily go there.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Things to do before the launch Find a location from which to conduct your observation, preferably somewhere with a higher elevation or a clear horizon.—
Harry Bennett,
Space.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For more than a year, the owners of other major league teams have telegraphed their desire to restrain all that spending, preferably through a salary cap.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The meeting was private, and no cameras were allowed, so attendees could speak freely.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Who would allow potentially billions of people to post freely if every word could open up the possibility of a lawsuit against the platform?—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
That not only allows Starlink satellites to offer high connection speeds than satellites further out in space, but to reach rural areas and regions where internet service is not readily accessible.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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As some fans waited for general admission tickets to FIFA's 2026 World Cup, private suites for several matches were readily available for purchase on FIFA's website.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Willingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willingly. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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