WILLING Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

willing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwi-liŋ

Definition of willing next

as in ready

having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action) I'm a little confused, but perfectly willing to do as you ask

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in quick

having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation she's always lent a willing hand whenever a neighbor needed help or a friend a favor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in volunteer

done, made, or given with one's own free will a willing sacrifice of her limited free time for a good cause

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

willing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of will

as in leaving

to give by means of a will willed their house to their adult children

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in wanting

to see fit do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Investors were looking to see how much shoppers are willing to spend on gifts for the holidays, with forecasts that shoppers could break spending records in 2024, with the typical consumer expected to spend more than $1,000, a 14% increase from last year. —

CBS News, 29 Nov. 2024 As performed by Yang, Moo Deng is exhausted, fed up with being treated like a creature in a zoo, and no longer willing to be parasocial besties with her fans. —

Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024 Gambling with safety in such ways is a fool’s bet that neither pilots nor the flying public are willing to make. —

Jason Ambrosi, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2024 Local officials are waiting to see how willing Trump is to support the 2028 Olympics in California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom has been attempting to be a foil to his incoming administration. —

Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for willing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for willing

Adjective

Instead, Cuomo is ready to consider his past — marked by both award-winning acclaim and career-altering scandal — and explore what it’s taken to land on his feet after being terminated by CNN in 2021.

Danielle Bacher, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK published 20 November 2024 Vladimir Putin has signalled that Russia is ready to start a nuclear war after Ukraine fired Western weapons at Russia for the first time.

Harriet Marsden, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024