as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
trying to summon the willpower to resist buying any more books before finishing the unread ones I already have
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of willpower
The Habit System – Building sustainable daily practices that don't require constant willpower.
—
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
For the Cardinal, success in the ACC is entirely about willpower.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
But the political willpower to approve changes that would address the issue is in danger without HUD’s backing.
—Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
On the Bronx casino front, the sources said Council Democrats agreed in the meeting there’s too little time and too little political willpower in the lawmaking body to override the mayor’s recent veto.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willpower
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
For the Cardinal, success in the ACC is entirely about willpower.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
But the political willpower to approve changes that would address the issue is in danger without HUD’s backing.
—Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
On the Bronx casino front, the sources said Council Democrats agreed in the meeting there’s too little time and too little political willpower in the lawmaking body to override the mayor’s recent veto.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willpower
Noun
-
Americans for Prosperity ― Ogles' former employer and that of many of his congressional staff ― is a political special interest group that advocates for limited government, free markets and fiscal restraint.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Enyedi has often made meditative cinema, but here her restraint in some sequences verges on suffocating.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Everyone in New York City wants to keep this restaurant to themselves, but self-control doesn’t come easy.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Leaders mistake transparency for strength, broadcasting every thought and feeling, and giving short shrift to prosocial qualities like empathy and self-control.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willpower. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share