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

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

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

Some Adams is willing to keep in the folder for even longer, waiting for any tiny moment when football’s typical logic may not apply. — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Our group is so welcoming, and there are always more seasoned players willing to teach and play with beginners, like me. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Hepburn and Taylor were two of Brynner’s closest friends who passed long before her, willing her jewels that lived up to her exacting taste. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026 Since then, Qatar has come to play the most prominent role in mediating between warring countries and factions within countries, willing itself into a mediation powerhouse spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. — Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for willing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for willing

Adjective

The prosecution's argument is that while different life events triggered the memories to surface, the teen simply was not ready to discuss them in detail initially.

— John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2026
But that doesn’t mean the Sussexes are ready to fully give up on their American dream (despite a Wall Street Journal headline that suggests that this is a branding move to save the couple’s ailing business ventures).

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of ready

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

Definition of volunteer

Verb

But that process has proven slippery for more than 250 communities that received no bids for the 2026-27 season, leaving them to choose whether to stay with the state and wait for emergency bids or find alternative sources.

— Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Amenities and experiences The Rockaway Hotel makes a pretty convincing case for never leaving the property.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of leaving

Adjective

Some kinds of trees, such as honey locusts, hackberries, lindens and maples, are naturally more inclined to produce suckers.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Democrats who view the term negatively are less inclined to see their party as effective or strong.

— Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of inclined

Adjective

State Medicaid programs have a parallel, voluntary pathway to adopt similar pricing under a model known as BALANCE.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
EmpCo prohibits companies from displaying voluntary sustainability labels unless they were established by a public authority or are based on a qualifying certification scheme.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Verb

As temple members met their gruesome death, documents bequeathing some $7 million to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union were spirited out of Jonestown in a suitcase stuffed with cash.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
William inherited the piece after her death in 1997, eventually bequeathing it to his wife.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 17 June 2026

Definition of bequeathing

Browse Nearby Words

willies

willing

willingly

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Style

“Willing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willing. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of willing

adjective

verb

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