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

Palace understood the Merseyside club were willing to offer £45m with £5m in add-ons, but the notion of selling for that price was dismissed out of hand. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Not the product who was named the starter, but just the fact that Florida was willing to settle on one arm, an issue of decisiveness previous coach Billy Napier struggled with two years ago. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 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

Throughout the series, secrets are revealed, guns are fired, bodies are recovered and ninjas are ready to attack.

— Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Andoni Iraola says new signing Bradley Barcola is ready to be part of the Liverpool squad for Friday’s Premier League clash at Ipswich Town.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 3 Sep. 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

Jonah Bevin's adoptive parents did not attend a custody hearing after it was shut down, briefly leaving him as a ward of the state in the Caribbean nation.

— Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
Government debt makes up more than 200% of its gross domestic product, leaving its finances highly sensitive to rising borrowing costs.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of leaving

Verb

The news about Guimaraes wanting to leave was followed almost immediately by Johan Manzambi, Newcastle’s top target across all positions, opting for Aston Villa at the final moment.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
As his memories begin to fade, he's left in a panic, not wanting to lose everything.

— Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of wanting

Adjective

The center had been a free, voluntary resource for state, local, tribal and territorial election office employees to receive the latest intelligence how bad actors are targeting election infrastructure.

— Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
Yolanda Marodi previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of an estranged partner in 2003 and served roughly a decade in prison.

— Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of willing

adjective

verb

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