1
as in bequeaths
to give by means of a will
willed their house to their adult children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in pleases
to see fit
do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in choices
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions
you cannot force me to do anything against my own will
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 wills
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott star in this wild psychosexual thriller, which finds a dominatrix and a young heir engaging in a battle of wills over one night in a hotel room.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
Preparing for the end Bell and Buynak help clients through traditional support sessions as well as tools like life reviews and ethical wills, which provide structured formats for reflection on life and life lessons.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Dec. 2025
That comes in handy on matters of legal import for her family, including wills or insurances.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
In one of the few refreshingly Globes-y choices, Prime Video’s The Girlfriend — in which Robin Wright stages a grand battle of wills with her son’s new girlfriend — picked up a pair of nominations, one for Best Limited or Anthology Series and one for Wright herself.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
Mercury’s connection to Saturn assists with inheritance matters or managing wills.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
The foundation invites the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to publicly commit to giving away at least 50% of their wealth to philanthropy, either during their lifetimes or in their wills.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025
The debate over whether to extend them again has been at the center of a political battle of wills between Republicans and Democrats in Congress, a fight at the heart of the now month-old government shutdown.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Agnes virtually wills her back to life.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
In a modern world where free will is taken as a given, fate might be best understood as the tangle of powers that facilitate or obstruct individual wills.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott star in this wild psychosexual thriller, which finds a dominatrix and a young heir engaging in a battle of wills over one night in a hotel room.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
Preparing for the end Bell and Buynak help clients through traditional support sessions as well as tools like life reviews and ethical wills, which provide structured formats for reflection on life and life lessons.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Dec. 2025
That comes in handy on matters of legal import for her family, including wills or insurances.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
In one of the few refreshingly Globes-y choices, Prime Video’s The Girlfriend — in which Robin Wright stages a grand battle of wills with her son’s new girlfriend — picked up a pair of nominations, one for Best Limited or Anthology Series and one for Wright herself.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
Mercury’s connection to Saturn assists with inheritance matters or managing wills.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
The foundation invites the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to publicly commit to giving away at least 50% of their wealth to philanthropy, either during their lifetimes or in their wills.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025
The debate over whether to extend them again has been at the center of a political battle of wills between Republicans and Democrats in Congress, a fight at the heart of the now month-old government shutdown.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wills
Verb
-
Cue the rattling of sabers and gnashing of teeth — until a deal is done that pleases (and displeases) both parties.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Dec. 2025
-
What is the thing that drives them, pleases them, hurts them?—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
With Kate in red, Queen Camilla in blue, and Brigitte in white, the three women’s color choices made up the colors of France’s flag, as well as the colors of the Union Jack.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
-
When the choices aren’t great, pushing things can easily worsen situations.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Back in 1962, Lilly leaves Juniper Hill with a higher dose of medication, which seems like the best-case scenario given the threat of lobotomy in the show’s opening titles.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The key is to fold the scarf over itself to create volume and to look for a lace trim that leaves the hem frayed, so as not to look too formal.—
Arancha Gamo,
Glamour,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the finale’s last moments, Alfie confronts Mindy, notices the ring on her finger and wishes her luck.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
-
If the former Olympian wishes to see her daughter and Sophia agrees to it, then Farina will make good faith efforts to set up the visit, per the documents.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Though designers will still prioritize efficiency, the triangle might not always be the default layout to achieve what a homeowner wants.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Transgender athlete wants to drop her challenge Lindsay Hecox, a transgender student at Boise State University who convinced lower courts to temporarily block enforcement of Idaho’s ban, now wants to abandon her case.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wills. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share