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

Leaders behind the two efforts have accused one another of misleading voters and being unwilling to work toward a compromise. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 15 June 2024

Others are quite able but unwilling due to choosing not to work, refusing to pay child support, or falling out over the years. —Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 9 June 2024

Suddenly, bank accounts were buoyed by emergency federal aid, and millions of consumers unable or unwilling to spend on in-person services shifted to buying goods. —Jordyn Holman, New York Times, 3 June 2024

And Germany, shadowed by having perpetrated the Holocaust, supports a two-state solution, but has been unwilling to extend Palestinian statehood recognition in the meantime. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unwilling

adjective

un·​will·​ing ˌən-ˈwil-iŋ 

ˈən-

: not willing

unwillingly adverb

unwillingness noun