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Definitions

willed

[wild] / wɪld /
ADJECTIVE
hereditary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
genetic inborn transmitted
WEAK
ancestral bequeathed family genealogical handed-down heritable inbred inheritable inherited lineal maternal paternal patrimonial traditional transmissible
Antonyms
STRONGEST
acquired
ADJECTIVE
uncompelled
Synonyms
WEAK
autonomous chosen deliberate designful discretional elected free free-willed freely gratuitous honorary independent intended intentional opted optional spontaneous unasked unbidden unconstrained unforced unpaid unprescribed volitional volunteer willful wished witting
ADJECTIVE
unforced
Synonyms
WEAK
autonomous chosen deliberate designful discretional elected free free-willed freely gratuitous honorary independent intended intentional opted optional spontaneous unasked unbidden uncompelled unconstrained unpaid unprescribed volitional volunteer willful wished witting
ADJECTIVE
voluntary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
spontaneous
STRONG
chosen free independent volunteer
WEAK
autonomous deliberate designful discretional elected free-willed freely gratuitous honorary intended intentional opted optional unasked unbidden uncompelled unconstrained unforced unpaid unprescribed volitional willful wished witting
Antonyms
WEAK
forced involuntary obligatory unwilling
ADJECTIVE
willful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conscious deliberate intentional premeditated purposeful
WEAK
contemplated designed intended planned studied unforced volitional willing witting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accidental unintentional unplanned
WEAK
flexible involuntary unwilling willing yielding

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

Currently ranked fifth in the world, Higgins remains one of snooker's biggest draws and was willed on throughout as he reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2021.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

She opened up the new library book she’d brought for the bus ride and willed her thoughts to disappear in the pages.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu