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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of willingly
The Michigan victim thought her love interest was seriously injured in an explosion while working on an oil rig — and willingly rushed money to help.
—
Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Most national leaders, after all, do not willingly associate themselves with diarrhea.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Jan began receiving love letters from Berchtold and willingly wrote back.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
The first rule of power politics is that nobody relinquishes authority willingly.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
But recently, things have changed, with more older Americans switching to renting—whether willingly or as a last-resort option.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Book-Carrie initially blames Lo for disrupting her and Richard’s plan, and willingly holds her hostage at Richard’s behest.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Bring the Paine The only thing Paine liked less than monarchical rule was its enablers, anyone who relinquished their freedom willingly to an aspiring tyrant.
—Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
No Nigerian officials will willingly, deliberately indulge in the act of siding with violent extremists to target any particular religion in this country.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Most national leaders, after all, do not willingly associate themselves with diarrhea.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Jan began receiving love letters from Berchtold and willingly wrote back.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
The first rule of power politics is that nobody relinquishes authority willingly.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
But recently, things have changed, with more older Americans switching to renting—whether willingly or as a last-resort option.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Book-Carrie initially blames Lo for disrupting her and Richard’s plan, and willingly holds her hostage at Richard’s behest.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Bring the Paine The only thing Paine liked less than monarchical rule was its enablers, anyone who relinquished their freedom willingly to an aspiring tyrant.
—Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
No Nigerian officials will willingly, deliberately indulge in the act of siding with violent extremists to target any particular religion in this country.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willingly
Adverb
-
The sixth-year veteran has been rather terrible as of late.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
But a few of those games have been rather close, particularly last year’s 30-27 win in double overtime.—
Chase Gemes,
Kansas City Star,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Phifer’s case was voluntarily dismissed in June 2022, as was Puckett’s in October 2022.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The mussels were voluntarily thrown away that day.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The Red Sox need a middle-of-the-order power threat, preferably a righty who can launch balls over the Green Monster.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
A little splash of any kind of milk, preferably a house made nut milk but those are hard to come by.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Every government, donor, and institution has a role to play by funding the response, supporting recovery, and insisting that aid and education flow freely.—
Catherine Russell,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The lower pastures, complete with creek access, have housed cattle, while horses can graze freely in the upper fields.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
3 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
In comparison to the former, the Misen won’t readily rust, is lighter to wield and quicker to heat, and doesn’t ask for much in terms of maintenance and care.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Johnson County’s aging population has struggled to age in place and its first-time homebuyers struggled to find starter homes as smaller, more affordable options aren’t readily available.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willingly. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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