unwilling

adjective

un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwi-liŋ 

: not willing:

a

: loath, reluctant

was unwilling to learn

b

: done or given reluctantly

unwilling approval

c

: offering opposition : obstinate

an unwilling student

unwillingly

ˌən-ˈwi-liŋ-lē 

adverb

unwillingness noun

Synonyms

• coerced
• forced
• involuntary
• unintended
• unintentional
• will-less

Examples of unwilling in a Sentence

He was an unwilling participant in the demonstration.

unwilling contributions from city employees who felt pressured to do so

Recent Examples on the Web

People will be afraid to take risks, stuck in their old ways or simply unwilling to listen. —Brian Slipka, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Many parents were unwilling to send young children to school during the height of COVID-19, while numerous preschools temporarily shut down. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

While ministers in Kabul appear keen to engage with the international community, Taliban leaders in Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second city, are unwilling to liaise with outsiders, Chatham House says. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

Hamby accused Mitchell of trying to portray representatives of California, Arizona and Nevada as being unwilling to talk. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unwilling

adjective

un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwil-iŋ 

ˈən-

: not willing

unwillingly adverb

unwillingness noun