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

In the space of a year, PSG have become a team many neutrals actively willed to lose in the Champions League - to the best team in the world to watch.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2025

He turned around and stared at the market, and he had never willed harder for his father to appear than that moment.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro