1
2
as in to want
to see fit
do as you will—I wash my hands of the whole affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
she kept her face still by sheer force of will
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in choice
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions
you cannot force me to do anything against my own will
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 will
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
The Judgment Day interfered, and Finn willed his way to a Coup de Grace for a nearfall.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
To do otherwise would have been to engage in what the justices often decry: substituting their own political value judgments for the will of Congress and the executive’s enforcement of that will.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for will
Verb
But White willed the Bulls through every clutch possession, tapping away a pass on the final Magic possession to burn a few seconds and force a desperate 3-point attempt from Paolo Banchero.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
The Judgment Day interfered, and Finn willed his way to a Coup de Grace for a nearfall.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
Large demonstrations are a performance of plurality, with individuals transcending their own individuality to express a larger will.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
To do otherwise would have been to engage in what the justices often decry: substituting their own political value judgments for the will of Congress and the executive’s enforcement of that will.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for will
Recent Examples of Synonyms for will
Verb
-
The department did not say how much money is left of the total $189 billion approved.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
With few options left, Adam begins considering and concocting ways to enact vengeance, but Basem, having been down that rageful path, advises him otherwise.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This is the rare situation where a team wanted a star player gone and not the other way around.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Those who don't want to risk missing out should start preparing for it now. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The chance that American attacks on Houthis could prompt attacks on Saudi Arabia and a renewal of the kingdom’s brutal war in Yemen was a chief concern of the Biden administration, a prime reason that White House operated with a degree of restraint in its strikes on Houthi targets.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Sullivan, 56, was charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Key to his platform were a flat tax, medical savings accounts, a new Social Security system for working Americans, parental choice of schools for their children, term limits and a strong national defense.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Fox herself has remained silent on social media since giving birth, initially offering no clues about their name choice.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
As evidence of malfeasance, Donna Arduin, the new chief financial officer, wrote in an e-mail to staff that Rutter and her team had bequeathed the center an operating deficit of more than a hundred million dollars.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Wolsey died in Season 1, but not before bequeathing his showcase to Henry, who returned the favor by accusing his chief minister of treason.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Of course, an on-demand activation sets the stars into motion whenever the owner pleases.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Keep your eyes open, then look for ways to boost your income or shop for something that pleases you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Taking on Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena is undoubtedly a tough challenge, one requiring visitors to have a combination of quality, gritty determination and a little luck.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The committee considers several factors, when making its determinations, including real income, payroll employment, consumer spending, industrial production and gross domestic product.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The question of free will is most definitely a scientific question.—
Jessica Riskin,
The New York Review of Books,
3 Apr. 2025
-
At the same time, the virtue of free will grants us opportunity and meaning to our lives.—
Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/will. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share