1
as in rather
by choice or preference
I would not willingly eat liver, but sometimes I have no choice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in voluntarily
of one's own free will
I willingly made the campaign contribution; no one pressured me into doing so
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willingly
Adverb
-
But Pedro, or Joel, rather, is so painfully handsome, whoever was describing him to Abby couldn’t overlook that fact.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
25 May 2025 -
While Lamont points with pride to the large surpluses achieved during his tenure, critics say these weren’t inessential funds but rather were leeched from core programs that have been dangerously undermined.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
Adverb
-
Boats are only allowed beyond those points, preferably to watch from the ocean, by taking a vessel out to nearby Zach’s Bay.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2025
-
Scarpa recommends picking a heat pump with the highest seasonal energy efficiency rating, preferably above 15.—
Khanh T.L. Tran,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
Adverb
-
Miranda was finally able to receive her new driver’s license after 22 years and is able to travel more freely.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2025
-
The program will be designed to enable young people to work and travel freely in Europe again, but will be capped and time-limited, mirroring existing schemes the U.K. has with countries such as Australia and New Zealand.—
Holly Ellyatt,Silvia Amaro,
CNBC,
19 May 2025
Adverb
-
This could require expansion of the nation’s digital infrastructure as AI demands an enormous amount of affordable, reliable and readily available energy.—
Martin Hermann,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
Pop music is played readily, but anything that is even remotely challenging — at least in alternative rock — doesn’t really [get played].—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Willingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willingly. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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