as in enthusiasm
cheerful readiness to do something
his unhesitating willingness to take on the tough assignments has earned him the status of the president's right-hand man
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Recent Examples of willingness
By way of demonstrating his willingness to take on tough issues, LeBuhn, 37, cites his experience in Lightfoot’s City Hall, helping to spearhead the former mayor’s effort to end aldermanic prerogative, which gives aldermen effective veto power over most zoning decisions in their wards.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Having hit the ground running with the one-two punch of Promising Young Woman (2020) and Saltburn (2023), Fennell immediately showed a knack for provocation and a willingness to poke social-issue bears, even if the aim-to-grasp ratio tended to fall short.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings have released a series of video statements pleading for the return of their mother and indicating a willingness to pay a ransom.
—Hallie Golden, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
On Saturday, the Guthrie siblings posted another video expressing their willingness to pay a ransom.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
The governor’s willingness to mock the president through aggressive social-media parody elevated him to de facto resistance leader.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The players swear by his calm, cool and consistent approach, and by his willingness to take one for the team.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But in its oldest sense, valor means the willingness to attempt something worthy, knowing the cost might be everything, doing it anyway out of love for the thing itself.
—Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
The retailer is getting such a sweet multiple largely because of the growth prospects ginned up by former chief executive officer Doug McMillon’s willingness to jump into new businesses — like online advertising, the third-party marketplace and fast delivery.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Having hit the ground running with the one-two punch of Promising Young Woman (2020) and Saltburn (2023), Fennell immediately showed a knack for provocation and a willingness to poke social-issue bears, even if the aim-to-grasp ratio tended to fall short.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings have released a series of video statements pleading for the return of their mother and indicating a willingness to pay a ransom.
—Hallie Golden, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
On Saturday, the Guthrie siblings posted another video expressing their willingness to pay a ransom.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
The governor’s willingness to mock the president through aggressive social-media parody elevated him to de facto resistance leader.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The players swear by his calm, cool and consistent approach, and by his willingness to take one for the team.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But in its oldest sense, valor means the willingness to attempt something worthy, knowing the cost might be everything, doing it anyway out of love for the thing itself.
—Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
The retailer is getting such a sweet multiple largely because of the growth prospects ginned up by former chief executive officer Doug McMillon’s willingness to jump into new businesses — like online advertising, the third-party marketplace and fast delivery.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willingness
Noun
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The test of whether organizations will translate that enthusiasm into political wins won't come until November.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hardware enthusiasm While there are doubts about the software industry, Wall Street has resounding confidence that hardware companies are AI winners.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On the contrary, an entrepreneurial mindset that relies on alacrity, adaptability, curiosity and creativity, along with many other tangible qualities, can position leadership as a collaborative approach.—
Venkat Rao,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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By the end of the film, the world — from government powers to common citizens — comes together with unquestioning alacrity to help build teleportation devices in an effort to save the Earth by relocating it.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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People could take advantage of our goodwill, demanding more without reciprocating, and in turn, pushing us to call for boundaries.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
9 Feb. 2026
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With a firehouse of insults flowing from Washington, the value of dignity rises with people of goodwill, while attracting the disdain of a diminishing mob.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After some determination and zeal, he was hired as a graduate assistant at the University of Georgia in 2010.—
D. Orlando Ledbetter,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Panarin embraced it with a combination of zeal and naivety that endeared him to the Blueshirts faithful.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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At most nightclubs, this might be one of the most annoying scenarios; but, at Berghain, the eagerness upon entering is essential to the experience.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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But the access has only added to the frustration and eagerness of advocates and survivors calling for the full disclosure of the DOJ’s records.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Part of what becomes apparent watching Chalamet do a press tour is his seemingly unlimited supply of gameness.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
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De Shields arrived first, wearing a buffalo-plaid toque and a mien of utter gameness.—
Henry Alford,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willingness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willingness. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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