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willing

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verb

present participle of will

Synonym Chooser

How is the word willing different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of willing are deliberate, intentional, and voluntary. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

When is deliberate a more appropriate choice than willing?

The words deliberate and willing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

When is it sensible to use intentional instead of willing?

The words intentional and willing can be used in similar contexts, but intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When could voluntary be used to replace willing?

While in some cases nearly identical to willing, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

Examples 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 willing
Adjective
Many commentators reflected on the misogyny behind the backlash, and noted that the public always seemed particularly willing to tear down successful women. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 Gilbert's firm seeks more time to finish Hudson's site project in Detroit Cyrus Wheeler, associate Broker and team leader at Match Realty and branch manager at Annie Mac Home Mortgage in Detroit, emphasized the potential for buyers willing to invest in home improvements. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 24 Dec. 2024 Losing him to another team was a possibility the Knicks weren’t willing to entertain. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024 While these trades have sometimes run into trouble, most recently after the Fed's December meeting, investors have been willing to buy the dip. Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for willing 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willing
Adjective
  • This season millions of eager skiers and snowboarders are ready for the next powder dump.
    Crai S. Bower, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Have all of your sauce ingredients lined up and ready to go.
    Liz Mervosh, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • If anxiety still comes flooding back at night, Brown recommends keeping a journal by your bed to jot down a quick note or reminder about whatever is troubling you.
    Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Reviewers love HelloFresh’s wide assortment of plans and preference options, which covers quick and easy meals, family-friendly, veggie, and more.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Within the past couple of years, the group has become a part of Arrowhead Kingdom, an all-volunteer national network of Chiefs fan groups.
    Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2023
  • That’s noteworthy for a show based at a high-school auditorium in Litchfield and run by a staff that is almost entirely volunteer, including the show’s star and its producer.
    Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2022
Verb
  • As firefighters battled the blaze, AES Indiana had to deactivate power to the area, leaving approximately 170 customers without power for a few hours.
    Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The fight drew about 74 million viewers globally, but strained the servers, leaving many viewers with buffering screens and anger.
    Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In California, the country’s largest market for EVs, buyers who dislike Musk’s politics are sourcing on the brand and may be more inclined to choose a competitor.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • The film should come with a warning for those less inclined to the sight of rats.
    Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Previously, under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the government attempted to agree a voluntary AI copyright code of practice.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The voluntary recall was announced on Friday, December 13—10 days after VidaSlim's products were added to an FDA warning about toxic yellow oleander.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Chock-full of vegetables, this crowd-pleasing dish evokes the taste of ratatouille.
    Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Paul McCartney has been enjoying rave reviews for his latest concerts – pleasing thousands of fans with an energetic set that encompasses songs from his entire career, including his time with The Beatles, Wings and his own solo material.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • So glad The Athletic finally has a team dedicated to creating data visualizations!
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
  • In story-ballet mode, the corps brings the main characters’ props onstage—such as scarves that represent the blood of the security guard’s many victims—and then exits with glad little jetés.
    Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near willing

Cite this Entry

“Willing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willing. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on willing

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