willed

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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

It marked a first ever try for Brazil in their debut Women's Rugby World Cup, with Silva willed on by a loud Sandy Park before being mobbed by her team-mates.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

Piper brought out her new horn of plenty and, on Percy’s direction, willed it to spew Diet Coke, which came out with the strength of a fire hose, dousing the enemy deck.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan