unwilling
Americanadjective
-
not willing; reluctant; loath; averse.
an unwilling partner in the crime.
-
opposed; offering resistance; stubborn or obstinate; refractory.
an unwilling captive.
adjective
-
unfavourably inclined; reluctant
-
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.
The ICC, which has 125 member states, seeks to prosecute individuals responsible for the world's gravest crimes when countries are unwilling or unable to do so themselves.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
And I think we’re unwilling to do that.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
Without a partner for back-up, Williams was exposed in the baseline rallies during the opening set, unable and unwilling to race across and meet Joint's exceptional down-the-line winners.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
Over the past few years, however, he has become moody and unwilling to help her.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
While she sat in the drawing room, feeling her tiredness at last, but unwilling to go to bed, her mother was questioned, then Leon and Paul Marshall.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
