1
as in ready
having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action)
I'm a little confused, but perfectly willing to do as you ask
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quick
having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation
she's always lent a willing hand whenever a neighbor needed help or a friend a favor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in volunteer
done, made, or given with one's own free will
a willing sacrifice of her limited free time for a good cause
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in leaving
to give by means of a will
willed their house to their adult children
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in wanting
to see fit
do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of willing
Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
In most families, grandmothers are pillars of support, legendary cooks, the matriarchs who are the keepers of all the family's stories (and secrets), and the very willing babysitter who frequently sweeps in to save date night.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
Collins has garnered a reputation for being one of the few congressional Republicans willing to tell Trump no.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025
Skubal likely won't take a hometown discount if the front office isn't willing to chase a World Series at the trade deadline.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willing
Adjective
In the latter, somebody more willing than most to arrive in the box from wide areas (Cross receiver rating: 98 out of 99).
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
In most families, grandmothers are pillars of support, legendary cooks, the matriarchs who are the keepers of all the family's stories (and secrets), and the very willing babysitter who frequently sweeps in to save date night.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
Collins has garnered a reputation for being one of the few congressional Republicans willing to tell Trump no.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025
Skubal likely won't take a hometown discount if the front office isn't willing to chase a World Series at the trade deadline.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willing
Adjective
-
Three months after his trip to America, Saiko was ready to return to Ukraine.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
-
After a tough season which began with his own uncertainty last year, the England international looks more comfortable in his own skin and ready to return to his best.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These routines are highly edited, almost hypnotic, with quick cuts, each mini-scene overlaid with a time stamp.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
14 Aug. 2025
-
However, one quick two-handed push off by No. 5 sent Morris earthbound as the coach quickly became London’s next victim.—
Hailey Hurst,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Within the past couple of years, the group has become a part of Arrowhead Kingdom, an all-volunteer national network of Chiefs fan groups.—
Hannah Kirby,
Journal Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2023
-
That’s noteworthy for a show based at a high-school auditorium in Litchfield and run by a staff that is almost entirely volunteer, including the show’s star and its producer.—
Susan Dunne,
Hartford Courant,
18 Aug. 2022
Noun
-
Institutional enthusiasm for digital assets is rising, and the U.S. regulatory climate has grown friendlier, even as the economics of mining face more pressure from bitcoin’s quadrennial halving.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The market has been buoyed by a strong corporate earnings season and undeterred investor enthusiasm about AI.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Or even, hypothetically, without leaving the dance floor.—
James Dinh,
Billboard,
14 Apr. 2025
-
But the moderates also emphasized that their vote for the final bill would hinge on Johnson’s ability to keep his word about leaving Medicaid benefits untouched.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Weed customers don’t seem inclined to pay more for cannabis harvested without pesticides, or trimmed by hand, or grown in a celebrated region.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
10 Aug. 2025
-
President Donald Trump was taking cues from Elon Musk, who seemed inclined to shelve the plan to put Americans back on the lunar surface and focus instead on an all-out sprint to Mars.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
At the time, Commissioner Dave Young and former Commissioner Pat South asked the development’s owner to levy voluntary impact fees to offset initial costs for new students.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The program is voluntary for anyone who has Part D, such as a stand-alone plan or coverage included in a Medicare Advantage plan.—
Diane Omdahl,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The participants who fare best seem to be familiar with the conventions of interscholastic debate, spouting off statistics and logic puzzles with the alacrity of an extemporaneous-speaking champion.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The secret to his mercantile alacrity was Fort Bragg.—
Seth Harp,
Rolling Stone,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willing. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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