unwilling

adjective

un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwi-liŋ How to pronounce unwilling (audio)
: not willing:
a
: loath, reluctant
was unwilling to learn
b
: done or given reluctantly
unwilling approval
c
: offering opposition : obstinate
an unwilling student
unwillingly adverb
unwillingness noun

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 However, many first-time buyers, already shelling out their savings for what is often the largest purchase of their lives, may be unwilling or unable to pay thousands of dollars more for their Realtor. Samantha Delouya, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 Some of the gap results from parents unable or unwilling to share records with the schools, and not because their children are not immunized, Dr. Hahn said. Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 But the permanently squabbling coalition in power seems unwilling or unable to make a plan. Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024 Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been unwilling or unable to bring new elections. John Hudson, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 By giving voice to trans stories, Ron elevated stories many were unable — or unwilling — to tell. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 So the policemen are very unwilling to join us now. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 That’s the share of voters who are very or somewhat unwilling to vote for Trump if he’s convicted of a crime, according to a Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll released in February, while 55% would be unwilling to vote for him if he’s sentenced to prison. Alison Durkee, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 For gay audiences, his existence, rarely in the thick of the action but rather just next door to it, offered, at its best, a brief glimpse into a universe of possibilities — a universe that mainstream culture was still unwilling to enter more immersively. Mark Harris Rf. Alvarez, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unwilling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unwilling was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near unwilling

Cite this Entry

“Unwilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwilling. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unwilling

adjective
un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwil-iŋ How to pronounce unwilling (audio)
ˈən-
: not willing
unwillingly adverb
unwillingness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unwilling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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