unwilling

[uhn-wil-ing]

adjective

1. not willing; reluctant; loath; averse.

   an unwilling partner in the crime.

2. opposed; offering resistance; stubborn or obstinate; refractory.

   an unwilling captive.

unwilling

/ ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. unfavourably inclined; reluctant

2. performed, given, or said with reluctance

Other Word Forms

• unwillingly adverb
• unwillingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unwilling¹

before 900; Old English unwillende (not recorded in ME); un- ¹, willing

Example Sentences

Like many Ukrainians, Melnychenko remains defiant—unwilling to cave to Russia at the negotiating table, even under U.S. pressure.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That’s made many people unwilling to deal with extra frustrations —a trend that’s alive and well according to recent travel data.

Read more on Barron's

He would later portray himself as a conscience-stricken and unwilling participant in Hitler’s crimes, and his gamble on the sympathy of the judges at Nuremberg paid off.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

Read more on BBC

"Language and culture were barriers, families and teachers were often unwilling to let them pursue the sport, and even introducing the rules of blind cricket took time. But now they are all competing with pride."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• afraid 
• averse 
• compelled 
• evasive 
• forced 
• loath 
• reluctant 
• resistant 
• unenthusiastic