willpower

or will pow·er

[ wil-poh-er ]

noun

1. control of one's impulses and actions; self-control.

willpower

/ ˈwɪlˌpaʊə /

noun

1. the ability to control oneself and determine one's actions
2. firmness of will

Word History and Origins

Origin of willpower¹

First recorded in 1870–75; will ²( def ) + power ( def )

Example Sentences

She said he “wishes he had the strength and willpower as a young child to stop the terrible chain of events.”

From Washington Post

Big Tech leaders have demonstrated they neither have the willpower nor the ability to proactively and successfully self-regulate, and that’s why Congress must immediately intervene.

From TechCrunch

They help you activate when you’re feeling low, automate decisions so you don’t burn willpower, and prime your mind-body system to more easily groove into the task at hand.

From Outside Online

I always make spiced nuts and a cheese platter but I have no willpower and then am too full for the actual feast!

From Eater

He’s done research on everything from willpower and self-esteem to decision-making and free will to sexuality.

From Freakonomics

Artists like Marina Abramović have endorsed her performance, applauding her “willpower to stick to something no matter what.”

From The Daily Beast

Experts suggest that we need to think of self-control as a “muscle”; something we can train in order to increase our willpower.

From The Daily Beast

According to cold, hard science, willpower is an unlimited resource.

From The Daily Beast

Stress is the enemy of willpower, so say the latest findings of neuroscientists, psychologists, and life coaches in the field.

From The Daily Beast

Another tip is to outsource willpower: Enlist family and friends to join you in your goal to give up smoking or get fit.

From The Daily Beast

For fear of offending her, I restrained the impulse to take her in my arms, and it took great willpower.

From Project Gutenberg

And suddenly you flashed upon me a single glance; I felt it clash against my willpower.

From Project Gutenberg

If the lawful possessor of the body will confidently assert himself and use his own willpower no obsession can take place.

From Project Gutenberg

And the next day he had to use all his willpower to avoid seeing the scarred thumb.

From Project Gutenberg

But to be like Keith—all willpower, marching along, treading down his own feelings and weaknesses!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• firmness
• grit
• self-control
• self-discipline