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

In testimony, for instance, Wolfe and Avery both made clear that publishers are largely unwilling to switch from Google Ad Manager. —Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 10 Sep. 2024

They had been kicked out of a shelter before, unwilling to separate from each other. —Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024

As the hunters move around the brush to get a good angle on the snake, Kimmel points out that the female is guarding a clutch of eggs and unwilling to leave its nest. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 8 Aug. 2024

But even at this volatile moment, Israeli officials seem unable or unwilling to protect Palestinian communities from this type of mob violence. —Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 18 Aug. 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