unwilling
Americanadjective
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not willing; reluctant; loath; averse.
an unwilling partner in the crime.
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opposed; offering resistance; stubborn or obstinate; refractory.
an unwilling captive.
adjective
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unfavourably inclined; reluctant
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performed, given, or said with reluctance
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unwilling
before 900; Old English unwillende (not recorded in ME); see un- 1, willing
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For Carnaby, “this deal represents value recognition by another corporate that the market was unwilling to pay,” MA says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
While adamant that the tradition would survive, Keller pointed to a "succession problem", with younger generations unwilling to take over a tough family business.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
Similarly, Arsenal have a hardline maximum valuation of Guimaraes and are unwilling to overpay despite their desire to sign the midfielder.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Over the past few years, however, he has become moody and unwilling to help her.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
Wachovia, amazingly, remained willing to sell cheap insurance on subprime mortgage bonds; the risk its credit officers were unwilling to take was the risk of dealing directly with Cornwall Capital.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
