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
Eloisa James, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Attorneys and advocates say more undocumented parents are drafting wills and guardianship papers, preparing for the possibility that they could be detained, deported or die during enforcement.
—Monique O. Madan, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Fidelity’s guidance on finances after divorce warns that neglecting to update beneficiaries on bank and retirement accounts and life insurance policies is a common error, and that those designations can supersede wills and trusts.
—Rebecca L. Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
But an attorney who specializes in wills and trusts can point you in the right direction.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
The share of older Americans writing wills has been trending downward for years, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Rocket Lawyer can help you get started with a free, customizable prenuptial agreement template and access to other legal resources like, wills, NDAs, and business contracts.
—Layla Melendez, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
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
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
My latest novel, The Last Lady B, has a gothic twist (think ghosts and lost wills).
—Eloisa James, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Attorneys and advocates say more undocumented parents are drafting wills and guardianship papers, preparing for the possibility that they could be detained, deported or die during enforcement.
—Monique O. Madan, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Fidelity’s guidance on finances after divorce warns that neglecting to update beneficiaries on bank and retirement accounts and life insurance policies is a common error, and that those designations can supersede wills and trusts.
—Rebecca L. Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
But an attorney who specializes in wills and trusts can point you in the right direction.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
The share of older Americans writing wills has been trending downward for years, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Rocket Lawyer can help you get started with a free, customizable prenuptial agreement template and access to other legal resources like, wills, NDAs, and business contracts.
—Layla Melendez, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wills
Verb
-
For something more substantial, Ramsey’s pleases both vegetarians and meat eaters with options such as BBQ brisket sandwich with homemade onion straws or Zucchini Noodle Thai Bowl.—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Planning a summer trip that pleases curious kids, energetic teens and grandparents who want a comfortable pace?—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But his injury does raise more concerns about the manager’s choices in what is becoming a problem position.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Bold décor choices add a touch of color, including the red travertine freestanding display modules and the inlaid blue Autry logo on the floor.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
As Raskar explained that in India, digital public infrastructure is leading to a reinvention of payment systems, Rai mentioned the levels of adoption of device technology, which leaves the population more open to apps.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Johnson’s Anaia is much sweeter, and though there’s some ferocity inside her too, the movie leaves her in a compassionate, optimistic place.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
If Japan wishes to continue its goal of expanding its anime endeavors in the overseas market from one trillion to six trillion yen ($38 billion) by 2033, Japanese companies will need to make a concerted effort in order to promote anime in the United States.—
Kalai Chik,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
In a story set in the Great Depression, the Filipino-American novelist wrote courageously of the struggles of the migrant worker who wishes to live with dignity in a world that chooses not to see him as fully human.—
Time,
Time,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
In the video, Reinsel touted union benefits and said the DeSantis administration wants to tamp down the influence of those who push back against its policies.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
Carrington wants others to understand the importance of childcare and that jobs like hers are valuable and worth protecting.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wills. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
