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

Chad Pilcher, a contract safety coordinator, said he was often troubled by what he viewed as a dangerous combination of poorly trained workers and managers unwilling to enforce safety standards.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The prosecutor told the court Dogan had been "unwilling to take responsibility" for a "massive act of destruction of a woman" that had denied her humanity.

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“Parents are unwilling to wait five years,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The second and arguably more interesting notion Park plays with is Man-su’s crippling pride, which keeps him mopey and unwilling to consider part-time work.

Read more on Salon

Instead the elections resulted in a hung parliament divided into ideologically opposed factions deeply at odds with one another and unwilling to work together.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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