willed
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of willed
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at will 2, -ed 3
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.
He had willed it into existence in his characteristic way, fast and without faultfinding inspectors to impede his vision.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
Z, international man of mystery, exists because Oliver willed him into being during a March shoutout on “Last Week Tonight.”
From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026
Jalen Brunson is the toast of New York after the 6-foot-2 point guard personally willed the New York Knicks to the NBA title on Saturday with a 45-point performance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
On a night when his teammates struggled offensively, Brunson willed the Knicks to the series clinching victory, another gritty come-from-behind victory for a team that has made them a trademark.
From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026
Even though every step hurt, he willed himself into a sprint toward the woods that lined the road.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
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.
