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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of willpower
In many ways, that is an apt reflection of the player’s broader football experience — a late bloomer who has had to dig deep into his reserves of willpower and work ethic to break through barriers time and again.
—
Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 25 July 2025
These manageable steps rewire the brain for sustained effort and build willpower through momentum.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
This wasn't caused by a generation of kids suddenly lacking the willpower to eat healthy.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
The political willpower to approve legislative fixes is in danger without HUD’s backing — which comes with the threat of withholding federal funding if the city does not follow through on its commitments.
—Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for willpower
Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 25 July 2025
These manageable steps rewire the brain for sustained effort and build willpower through momentum.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
This wasn't caused by a generation of kids suddenly lacking the willpower to eat healthy.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
The political willpower to approve legislative fixes is in danger without HUD’s backing — which comes with the threat of withholding federal funding if the city does not follow through on its commitments.
—Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for willpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willpower
Noun
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Advertisement My biggest takeaway from this formula and its ubiquity is that users can develop healthier social media feeds, but doing so takes restraint and intentionality.—
Noah Giansiracusa,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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While candidates largely avoided major mishaps, the tech was used with little guidance or restraint.—
Makena Kelly,
Wired News,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The following is an example of a daily exercise for developing self-control, a key temperance behavior.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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In her deep mourning dress (neat as a Quaker’s), with her beautiful hair, smooth and brown, her fine eyes, and her sensible face indicating a habit of self-control.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willpower. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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