as in involuntarily
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 unwillingly
My apologies also go to my ex-girlfriend, who unwillingly ended up in the media spotlight.
—
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Those who came under suspicion were taken unwillingly to a military hospital in Pretoria, cut off from their families, and subjected to electric shocks.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
By the end of film, Lough somewhat unwillingly parts ways with SamBot—handing over the chatbot to Altman via tech journalist Kara Swisher—after pressure from producers worried about the legal risks of holding onto the deepfake.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
And after miraculously surviving the attack that left her with facial paralysis and a bullet forever lodged in her brain, Buttafuoco was immediately, unwillingly thrust into the spotlight.
—Janine Rubenstein, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
The narrative follows Kim Phúc into adulthood—her education, religious awakening, defection to Canada, and, by taking ownership of the photograph in which she was unwillingly portrayed, her eventual emergence as a humanitarian advocate for child victims of conflict.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Reeves is a cranky, deadpanning Estragon, wallowing in frustration as his gangly limbs swing, unwillingly turning to his friend but also welcoming the help, the hugs.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
Remember that the members of the military and the National Guard who will be asked to walk these streets are, for the most part, here unwillingly.
—USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Jake never did learn that Anna and Tess unwillingly switched bodies overnight.
—Mara Reinstein, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Those who came under suspicion were taken unwillingly to a military hospital in Pretoria, cut off from their families, and subjected to electric shocks.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
By the end of film, Lough somewhat unwillingly parts ways with SamBot—handing over the chatbot to Altman via tech journalist Kara Swisher—after pressure from producers worried about the legal risks of holding onto the deepfake.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
And after miraculously surviving the attack that left her with facial paralysis and a bullet forever lodged in her brain, Buttafuoco was immediately, unwillingly thrust into the spotlight.
—Janine Rubenstein, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
The narrative follows Kim Phúc into adulthood—her education, religious awakening, defection to Canada, and, by taking ownership of the photograph in which she was unwillingly portrayed, her eventual emergence as a humanitarian advocate for child victims of conflict.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Reeves is a cranky, deadpanning Estragon, wallowing in frustration as his gangly limbs swing, unwillingly turning to his friend but also welcoming the help, the hugs.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
Remember that the members of the military and the National Guard who will be asked to walk these streets are, for the most part, here unwillingly.
—USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Jake never did learn that Anna and Tess unwillingly switched bodies overnight.
—Mara Reinstein, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwillingly
Adverb
-
Elder was taken to a mental health provider under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows a person to be held involuntarily for up to three days, according to the complaint.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
-
His relentless harassment left Wilkens in a fragile state of mind; twice that spring, she was involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals.—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The players want it, and the league has reluctantly accepted that a break in the middle of its season once every four years is worth the risk, and the headaches, to enjoy the power, prestige and reach that only the Olympics creates.—
Mac Engel
March 25,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
-
She’s played by Suze (Daisy Tichenor), who was one of the more self-consciously liberal voices reluctantly participating in the sport of racial tourism.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unwillingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwillingly. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
