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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of wills
Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Agnes virtually wills her back to life.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
The Patriots will play in Super Bowl LX, thanks to a 10-7 triumph over the Broncos in an AFC Championship that evolved into a wintry battle of wills.
—Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
Again, Stroheim presented a very long cut—in the nine-hour range—and found himself in a battle of wills with Thalberg.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
In fact, filming the entire episode was quite the experience as the actress spent a lot of time arguing with herself as Maddie and Sara engaged in a battle of wills for control over the call center.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
The roundtable at the end of episode five turned into a battle of wills and words with Michael trying to alliterate his way into taking out Colton and Colton expressing what increasingly appeared to be the will of the entire cast to be rid of Michael once and for all.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
The Moon wills the chart and can make a wishy-washy Libra decisive and direct.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Agnes virtually wills her back to life.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
In 2024 Altman signed the Giving Pledge, a commitment launched by Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Melinda French Gates to give away at least 50% of their wealth to philanthropy, either during their lifetimes or in their wills.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
The Patriots will play in Super Bowl LX, thanks to a 10-7 triumph over the Broncos in an AFC Championship that evolved into a wintry battle of wills.
—Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
Again, Stroheim presented a very long cut—in the nine-hour range—and found himself in a battle of wills with Thalberg.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
In fact, filming the entire episode was quite the experience as the actress spent a lot of time arguing with herself as Maddie and Sara engaged in a battle of wills for control over the call center.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
The roundtable at the end of episode five turned into a battle of wills and words with Michael trying to alliterate his way into taking out Colton and Colton expressing what increasingly appeared to be the will of the entire cast to be rid of Michael once and for all.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wills
Verb
-
His fervor for society pleases his mother Violet (Ruth Gemmell), but also frustrates her to the point of squeezing Penelope for information.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The new emphasis, and the current EPA’s view that economic interests should be critical to environmental rules, pleases many business groups.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And that forces Yoshida’s character to confront her own choices and those of her grandmother, as each generation of women navigates the complexities of love, sacrifice and family expectations.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Caldwell, Kuna and Eagle voters may soon have different choices in their city elections.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The illuminating skin tint instantly blurs and brightens my complexion and leaves behind a soft-focus glow—almost as if my skin were an IRL filter.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … 'TOTAL CHAOS' — Anderson Cooper's '60 Minutes' exit reportedly leaves CBS News bosses blindsided.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Owner Fardowsa Sheik Ali just wishes more people were willing stop in and try it.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Androw always chooses House of Bread and wishes more pizzerias would take up the cause.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The two Cabo Blanco rooms on the upper level are accessed by a flatter path, and ideal for anyone who wants less of a journey getting back to their room.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Caroline Heldman, co-founder of Stand With Survivors, said the coalition wants the LA 28 board to know that leadership carries consequences.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wills. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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