1
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
2
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
Before his trial, Hitchcock pulled back his confession and said his brother, Richard Hitchcock — Cindy’s stepfather — killed the girl in a fit of rage after discovering James Hitchcock and the girl willingly in bed together.
—
Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
In the dying days of the Russian Empire, highborn ladies would willingly cut the dirty fingernails of the peasant Grigori Rasputin and then sew the clippings onto their dresses like sacred talismans.
—Gerard Degroot, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026
Michael Jackson‘s estate is facing a new wave of molestation allegations leveled at the late pop star, this time from four siblings from New Jersey who say they were groomed and abused for years and that the many handlers in Jackson’s entourage willingly enabled it all.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
The Timberwolves willingly left Jokic open behind the arc.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
When asked why some of the most successful people on Earth would willingly subject themselves to the harsh conditions seen in the show’s promos — such as eating snakes or boiling water to avoid illness — Grylls said, for these stars, the appeal is about authenticity.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
After every resident is moved — willingly or forcibly — police and city staff will patrol the site to prevent people from returning.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The car was in the lot, and office manager Jessica Smith said Gregg signed the paperwork willingly.
—Liz Crawford, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Lawyer said the bird entered the device willingly and pushed back on any suggestion of distress.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
In the dying days of the Russian Empire, highborn ladies would willingly cut the dirty fingernails of the peasant Grigori Rasputin and then sew the clippings onto their dresses like sacred talismans.
—Gerard Degroot, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026
Michael Jackson‘s estate is facing a new wave of molestation allegations leveled at the late pop star, this time from four siblings from New Jersey who say they were groomed and abused for years and that the many handlers in Jackson’s entourage willingly enabled it all.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
The Timberwolves willingly left Jokic open behind the arc.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
When asked why some of the most successful people on Earth would willingly subject themselves to the harsh conditions seen in the show’s promos — such as eating snakes or boiling water to avoid illness — Grylls said, for these stars, the appeal is about authenticity.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
After every resident is moved — willingly or forcibly — police and city staff will patrol the site to prevent people from returning.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The car was in the lot, and office manager Jessica Smith said Gregg signed the paperwork willingly.
—Liz Crawford, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Lawyer said the bird entered the device willingly and pushed back on any suggestion of distress.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willingly
Adverb
-
During debate over the bill, supporters argued the intent wasn’t to restrict the rights of transgender people, but rather to protect women and girls.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Nussmeier weighed in at a rather light 203 pounds at the NFL Combine and was measured with hands under nine inches.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
These hires also show much longer tenure and are less likely to voluntarily quit than other workers — saving companies valuable time and money on turnover.—
Brian Fabes,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The tahini was voluntarily discarded.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
April 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
An epiphany Through the years since Sherman began speaking publicly about moving the team from Kauffman Stadium to a modern home most preferably in the city, Hall was a frequent advisor — or at least an ear.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
And then there is the youth, the cost-efficient prospects who preferably would be able to grow with the next roster rendition, a pair of players with skill sets that complement.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
During that time, however, he was allowed to come and go almost freely, spending most days at his office or his home in Palm Beach.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The moral injury from which hip-hop could not heal, in his mind, was the incursion of capitalism, the selling out, the culture-vulture turn that Bambaataa spoke to and spoke to freely.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Japan Airlines is interested in testing whether humanoid robots powered by some of the latest AI models can adapt more readily to human work environments—such as airports—without requiring dedicated work stations or other significant workplace modifications.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
-
According to Shahi, many Nepali TPS holders fear what might come next, in part because their personal information is readily available to authorities.—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Willingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willingly. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
