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
Content oversight and quality assurance provided by Studio 1847
Obesity is a real medical condition — it’s not just caused by poor willpower or overeating.
—
Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
The world’s best reeled off 17 points in a row against Gauff to lead 4-1 in the first set, but the second proved a classic battle of willpower with the American going 5-3 up before her opponent finally broke at the fifth time of asking.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Her willpower wobbling, the 37-year-old nurse and mother of three pushed her shopping cart forward, giving the friendly salesman a wide berth.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Inside rehab, his recovery was built around medication, not willpower.
—Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willpower
Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
The world’s best reeled off 17 points in a row against Gauff to lead 4-1 in the first set, but the second proved a classic battle of willpower with the American going 5-3 up before her opponent finally broke at the fifth time of asking.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Her willpower wobbling, the 37-year-old nurse and mother of three pushed her shopping cart forward, giving the friendly salesman a wide berth.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Inside rehab, his recovery was built around medication, not willpower.
—Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willpower
Noun
-
Still, progressive proponents of the ERA demanded that some legal loophole must exist to circumvent those restraints.—
Sarah Bedford,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
-
Intense hostility all around means that for now, neither Russia nor China is even willing to sit down to discuss nuclear restraints, in treaty form or otherwise.—
Matthew Bunn,
The Conversation,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Studies have found that decision fatigue can impair attention, self-control and judgment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
-
Why This Matters, Especially Now The study highlights the crucial link between self-compassion and self-control.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willpower. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share