WILLINGLY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

willingly

adverb

Definition of willingly

as in rather

by choice or preference I would not willingly eat liver, but sometimes I have no choice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in voluntarily

of one's own free will I willingly made the campaign contribution; no one pressured me into doing so

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 willingly But the very act of putting on a wearable—of willingly adorning oneself with a tiny computerized narc—is an act of surrender. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 If Gluck has willingly conceded to the anti-erotic proclivities of his intended audience, Araki has, naturally, set out to defy them. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 Summary Early healthcare software was willingly adopted for its usefulness, unlike Electronic Health Records (EHRs) which required government mandates and billions in incentives for widespread implementation. — Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Would any of those names willingly jump into a crowded situation? — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 What happened to the colonists remains unknown, but archaeological finds—including otherwise anachronistic English artifacts on Hatteras Island—give some support to White’s theory that at least some of the colonists relocated willingly. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 By suggesting that Black women would willingly place their own children in mortal danger for profit, such narratives provided yet another means of humiliating, degrading and dehumanizing African Americans. — The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026 The advertising industry has willingly accelerated this transition, enjoying a familiar return to the days of the 30-second advertising spot. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Tony was a complex person who willingly put himself in the entertainment industry, which can, unfortunately, compress a whole person down into a series of bullet points and memes. — Laurie Woolever, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for willingly

Adverb

Protectionism is generally not the cause of trade conflicts, but rather a symptom of imbalances that have endured for too long.

— MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Thus polytheistic worship of deities and monist philosophy are not opposed but rather different ways of reaching the divine.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rather

Adverb

For Jaissle, a defensive midfielder who had preferably played in the Premier League was essential.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Ornamental Grasses Tall ornamental grasses, preferably native ones such as switchgrass, create a focal point in your landscape and mimic the movement and sound of a water feature.

— Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of preferably

Adverb

Technological advances have already made drones cheaply and readily available for purchase, with longer ranges, higher payloads, and an improved ability to evade electronic warfare.

— Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Local sports’ future on TV For the last five years, TV executives, producers and directors have anticipated a direct-to-consumer, ala carte menu for games will be readily available, and ultimately replace the traditional formats and models.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of readily

Browse Nearby Words

willing

willingly

willingness

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“Willingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willingly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of willingly

adverb

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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