willed 1 of 2

willed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of will

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of willed
Adjective
The entire texture of that life, its willed imposture. Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025 The forward almost willed the Lions to the Final Four, averaging 35.0 points per game over four games. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
Pope Francis fervently willed the Acutis sainthood case forward — convinced that the church needed someone like him to attract young Catholics to the faith while addressing the promises and perils of the digital age. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025 But Carlisle spoke about that balance on March 22, just two days after Mathurin willed the Pacers to a win with a 28-point, 16-rebound performance in an overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets. Tony East, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for willed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willed
Adjective
  • That means staying alert to how AI systems influence our thinking and making conscious choices about when and how to engage with them.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Sullivan believes Fruitist’s market opportunity is strong as consumers become more conscious about health and are willing to pay for premium products.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Kenwood painting was part of the Iveagh collection bequeathed by Lord Iveagh in 1927.
    Gareth Harris, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Following the funeral, John's sister meets with Oscar and tells him that John has bequeathed his manor upstate to him.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Magnitude had descended in the track’s estimation from the 2-1 morning line by post time to go off at 7-2, but Bracket Buster, who went off at 17-1 to place, pleased his trainer Victoria Oliver by stepping smartly out of the pack to challenge Sovereignty briefly at the top of the stretch.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • His effort to schmaltz Putin with a display of royal pageantry obviously pleased this murderous dictator to no end.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Understand who holds the greatest influence over promotion decisions in your organization and make a deliberate effort to be visible to them.
    Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Acutis' canonization marks a deliberate Vatican effort to present contemporary, relatable holy figures who can speak to younger generations about faith lived in the digital age.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After making 35 appearances (16 starts) with Triple-A Omaha, the club wanted Bowlan to make a positional change.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Memos unearthed from Biden’s term show his aides wanted the president to personally sign pardon decisions and advised against using the autopen on clemency decisions.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Code does not distinguish between voluntary and involuntary expatriation.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The 30-year-old accepted a voluntary provisional suspension on June 2, which will now expire on April 2, 2026 following the outcome of European football’s governing body.
    Colin Millar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bookout, 33, wished her ex and Conner well when the pair announced Conner's pregnancy.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Adugna wished all parents strength and wisdom in guiding their daughters.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the eight- and 16-bit era, the key art used in a game’s pack-in manual was more intended to stir the imagination.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Many more were maimed, and almost all the carnage was the direct and intended result of Iran’s nascent Axis.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Willed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willed. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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