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
The author, Arthur Koestler, wrote it to explore how a dedicated Communist could bring himself willingly to admit to absurd crimes.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
Interim leaders willingly accept responsibility during moments of uncertainty, instability and organizational vulnerability.
—Mariama Boney, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
If CosRx can convince people to willingly slather snail mucin on their faces, trusting the brand with hair care is a pretty easy next step.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 May 2026
Secretary Rubio did tell another network, though, that his belief is that China's preference is to have Taiwan willingly join the People's Republic.
—CBS News, 17 May 2026
The scheme has been so successful, law enforcement has created a joint FBI-National Security Division task force to disrupt the operations and have dealt a series of harsh prison terms to American accomplices who have willingly aided the North Koreans.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Part of the experiment involves Mesler willingly extricating himself from Kordansky’s gallery roster.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026
The idea that fragile multiparty coalition partners will willingly orchestrate record high fuel and food prices just months before voters head to the polls in local elections is fiscal fantasy.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 8 May 2026
Even when a woman willingly and lovingly forgoes her time, convenience, comfort and preferences for her child’s sake, the opposition remains.
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
Interim leaders willingly accept responsibility during moments of uncertainty, instability and organizational vulnerability.
—Mariama Boney, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
If CosRx can convince people to willingly slather snail mucin on their faces, trusting the brand with hair care is a pretty easy next step.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 May 2026
Secretary Rubio did tell another network, though, that his belief is that China's preference is to have Taiwan willingly join the People's Republic.
—CBS News, 17 May 2026
The scheme has been so successful, law enforcement has created a joint FBI-National Security Division task force to disrupt the operations and have dealt a series of harsh prison terms to American accomplices who have willingly aided the North Koreans.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Part of the experiment involves Mesler willingly extricating himself from Kordansky’s gallery roster.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026
The idea that fragile multiparty coalition partners will willingly orchestrate record high fuel and food prices just months before voters head to the polls in local elections is fiscal fantasy.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 8 May 2026
Even when a woman willingly and lovingly forgoes her time, convenience, comfort and preferences for her child’s sake, the opposition remains.
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willingly
Adverb
-
Curling tomato leaves are certainly alarming, but sometimes the cause is rather simple.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
-
Who should the Knicks rather play?—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Adverb
-
That’s why people are voluntarily giving them money.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
Shi confessed his crimes, voluntarily disclosed details that law enforcement authorities had not yet discovered and showed remorse, CCTV added.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Adverb
-
However, history tells us that the first thing that Hollywood tries to do with a blockbuster is figure out not only how to do it again but to also turn it into a reliable pipeline — preferably one that can start to deliver in Q4 2027.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
2 June 2026
-
Everyone is either a performer — preferably a star — or an audience member.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Adverb
-
On their run to the final, PSG scored so freely — six against Bayern Munich, four against Liverpool, eight against Chelsea.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
But until now, nobody had tested what these compounds do to fish living freely in a natural ecosystem.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adverb
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Missing out on Champions League qualification is unlikely to be a major stumbling block given that, in theory at least, Chelsea should be in a better position to challenge for silverware next season and more readily able to compete in Europe’s blue-chip competition longer term than Villa.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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In his stead, the United States propped up the venal and repressive shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who proved to be a pliable ally readily serving its oil and armament interests.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Willingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willingly. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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