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
Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
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
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Others are the Rancho Bernardo Community Thanksgiving Celebration, foundation memberships and sometimes locals leave the organization money in their wills.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Rickon noted that many have her sanctuary in their wills.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
But in a war of MVP wills, Nikola Jokic put the finishing touches on his 40-point, eight-rebound, 13-assist performance in the last minute of overtime, burying two high-stakes shots over the mile-high reach of Wembanyama.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
He was also perpetually getting lost, turning family road trips into epic tests of patience and wills.
—Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
Even attorneys who specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning and probate may have no experience dealing with Chapter 415 of the Florida Statutes.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
How conversations with friends and family are helping more Black women prepare wills, trusts, and funeral plans long before a crisis hits.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
The register of wills collects and manages inheritance tax — a tax paid by heirs who receive money, property or other assets from the estate of a deceased person.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the movie’s fuzzy metaphysics, Shelley wills herself into the consciousness of a character named Ida (also played by Buckley), a young woman angling for survival in 1930s Chicago — a colorful, dangerous world of bawdy lotharios and lethal gangsters.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
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
Attorney Taylor Spooner will discuss powers of attorney, wills, trusts and basic Medicaid eligibility.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Others are the Rancho Bernardo Community Thanksgiving Celebration, foundation memberships and sometimes locals leave the organization money in their wills.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Rickon noted that many have her sanctuary in their wills.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
But in a war of MVP wills, Nikola Jokic put the finishing touches on his 40-point, eight-rebound, 13-assist performance in the last minute of overtime, burying two high-stakes shots over the mile-high reach of Wembanyama.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
He was also perpetually getting lost, turning family road trips into epic tests of patience and wills.
—Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
Even attorneys who specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning and probate may have no experience dealing with Chapter 415 of the Florida Statutes.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
How conversations with friends and family are helping more Black women prepare wills, trusts, and funeral plans long before a crisis hits.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
The register of wills collects and manages inheritance tax — a tax paid by heirs who receive money, property or other assets from the estate of a deceased person.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wills
Verb
-
This savory and sweet jam is easy to make and pleases a crowd.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
-
There’s almost never a solution that pleases everyone.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Without sacrificing the book’s dark humor, Burke doesn’t shy away from the repercussions of Natalie’s choices, and scenes with her children are the most frustrating and emotionally resonant.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
What Fans Said About Hilary Duff’s Snack Picks A clip from the New York Times video was shared on TikTok, and people weighed in on her snack choices in the comments section.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As part of this singularly unconventional deal, CBS pays not a red cent for the privilege of covering the tourney, and while that leaves as much as $125 million in rights fees on the table, Augusta more than makes up for that by way of the gate, merch and concessions.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This desperate situation leaves Republicans with no choice but to destroy that which threatens to destroy them.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These mining projects depend heavily on the efficiency and expertise of ANC contractors operating through the 8(a) program — the one Hegseth wishes to dismantle.—
Kelly Sloan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Thank you everyone for all the love and birthday wishes.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
October 23 – November 21 Creativity wants a stage — and willing partners.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has shown interest in a team in London; Qatar Sports Investment, the owners of soccer giant PSG, is eying one in Paris; and RedBird Capital, which owns AC Milan and is an investor in Paramount, wants a team in Milan.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wills. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
