Synonyms of willingly

willingly

adverb

1

as in rather

by choice or preference

I would not willingly eat liver, but sometimes I have no choice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rather
• preferably
• readily
• soon
• first
• either
• instead
• fain
• voluntarily
• alternately
• gladly
• alternatively
• optionally
• electively
• obligingly
• wishfully
• desirably

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwillingly
• involuntarily
• reluctantly
• forcibly
• willy-nilly

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

• voluntarily
• freely
• deliberately
• intentionally
• knowingly
• consciously
• wittingly
• electively
• of one's own accord
• optionally
• acquiescently
• consentingly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• involuntarily
• unconsciously
• reluctantly
• unwittingly
• unwillingly
• unintentionally
• unknowingly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of willingly

Carney remembered Goulding as someone who willingly took on difficult challenges, and Wong as someone his family could always depend on. — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

The film’s central question, as Coon sees it, is why someone might willingly abandon a conventional life for an alternative community. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

For some activists, willingly accepting arrest becomes another visible demonstration of commitment. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026

Current law says that if an accuser knowingly and willingly drinks too much, there is no crime for someone else to take advantage of the accuser’s incapacitation. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Council member Dale Reynolds, who first made the motion to approve the ordinance, questioned whether there was any incentive for the public to willingly register their bikes. — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 23 Sep. 2026

The front end simply carves into turns with the slightest shift of body position, leaning over willingly enough to eliminate conscious thought and hesitation right out of the gate. — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026

Mahomes willingly sandwiched his body between two defenders for a 15-yard touchdown on a scramble. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Riggle noted that people may be unaware of the danger that Stewart willingly placed himself in while serving his country. — Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026