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

But Speaker Mike Johnson and others in the Republican Party appear unwilling to challenge the executive’s expanding use of trade authorities granted to it by Congress, even as the scope and complexity of these tariffs risk spiraling far beyond the federal government’s ability to execute on them. —Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025

Even when Putin leaves Russia, many countries are unwilling to arrest him. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025

Swindlers have now moved on with phony dodges using the nation’s tollway system as an unwilling partner. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025

Making his Broadway debut, Burr is a cyclone as the fast-talking, double-dealing Dave Moss, who springs a plan to steal the leads on his unwilling accomplice, George Aaronow (McKean, drolly exasperated). —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unwilling

• backfilling
• distilling
• fulfilling
• infilling
• instilling
• refilling
• sawmilling
• billing
• chilling
• drilling
• filling
• grilling

Kids Definition

unwilling

adjective

un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwil-iŋ 

ˈən-

: not willing

unwillingly adverb

unwillingness noun