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Synonyms

willed

American  
[wild] / wɪld /

adjective

  1. having a will (usually used in combination).

    strong-willed; weak-willed.
willed British  
/ wɪld /

adjective

  1. (in combination) having a will as specified

    weak-willed
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of willed

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; 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.

For St. Augustine, desire was the bondage of the divided self, which willed the good but somehow willed more strongly not to do it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

He didn’t wander into greatness: he pursued it, willed it, achieved it.

From Slate • Feb. 16, 2026

I have willed her 100% of my estate.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026

Even down to the last show, he willed himself, like, “I’m going to do this show.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

She willed her mind to clarity and hopped up, fingertips latching on to the top of the crate.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

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.