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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

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 willing
Adjective
In the latter, somebody more willing than most to arrive in the box from wide areas (Cross receiver rating: 98 out of 99). Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025 In most families, grandmothers are pillars of support, legendary cooks, the matriarchs who are the keepers of all the family's stories (and secrets), and the very willing babysitter who frequently sweeps in to save date night. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025 Collins has garnered a reputation for being one of the few congressional Republicans willing to tell Trump no. Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025 Skubal likely won't take a hometown discount if the front office isn't willing to chase a World Series at the trade deadline. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for willing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willing
Adjective
  • Three months after his trip to America, Saiko was ready to return to Ukraine.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Each one is golden, tender, and ready for any holiday table.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Resale prices of Singapore's public apartments — which house nearly 80% of residents — rose 9.6% in 2024, quicker than the 4.9% in 2023, data from the country's Housing Development Board showed.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Isak himself stressed his happiness in the spring and featured in club kit promotions, hardly the actions of someone desperate for a quick exit.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
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
  • Or even, hypothetically, without leaving the dance floor.
    James Dinh, Billboard, 14 Apr. 2025
  • But the moderates also emphasized that their vote for the final bill would hinge on Johnson’s ability to keep his word about leaving Medicaid benefits untouched.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump was taking cues from Elon Musk, who seemed inclined to shelve the plan to put Americans back on the lunar surface and focus instead on an all-out sprint to Mars.
    Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
  • Weed customers don’t seem inclined to pay more for cannabis harvested without pesticides, or trimmed by hand, or grown in a celebrated region.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The program is voluntary for anyone who has Part D, such as a stand-alone plan or coverage included in a Medicare Advantage plan.
    Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • At the time, Commissioner Dave Young and former Commissioner Pat South asked the development’s owner to levy voluntary impact fees to offset initial costs for new students.
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajita Quesadillas These sheet pan chicken fajita quesadillas are a hassle-free way to make a crowd-pleasing meal without standing over the stove.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, lean into what feels good, and if that’s pleasing your boo above all else, that may tell you something.
    Quispe López, Them, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Manager Will Venable was glad to continue writing Robert’s name in the Sox lineup.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
  • And the entire game turning into an arduous light level slog, light level being something that most players were glad to see almost entirely left behind the last few years, is exhausting.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Willing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willing. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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