...their unwillingness to accept responsibility for mistakes.
...the unwillingness of banks to grant loans.
Synonyms: reluctance, resistance, refusal, opposition More Synonyms of unwilling
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use unwilling to describe someone who does not really want to do the thing they are doing.
A youthful teacher, he finds himself an unwilling participant in school politics.
She was certainly an unwilling victim of circumstances.
Synonyms: reluctant, grudging, unenthusiastic, resistant More Synonyms of unwilling
unwillinglyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
My beard had started to grow, and I had unwillingly complied with the order to shaveit off.
Unwillingly, she moved aside.
unwilling in British English
(ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ)
adjective
1.
unfavourably inclined; reluctant
2.
performed, given, or said with reluctance
Derived forms
unwillingly (unˈwillingly)
adverb
unwillingness (unˈwillingness)
noun
unwilling in American English
(ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ)
adjective
1.
not willing or inclined; reluctant; loath; averse
2.
done, said, given, etc. reluctantly
Derived forms
unwillingly (unˈwillingly)
adverb
unwillingness (unˈwillingness)
noun
Word origin
altered (in 16th c.) < ME unwilland < OE unwillende < un-, not + prp. of willan: see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'unwilling' in a sentence
unwilling
Sufferers may feel unable or unwilling to face work.
The Sun (2016)
Researchers said it gave options to those unable or unwilling to take statins.
The Sun (2016)
Here was a young rider unwilling to accept cheating and prepared to rail against it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
As a result, they go through life unwilling or unable to take responsibility.
The Sun (2016)
It is a mess and one in which government seems totally unwilling to engage constructively.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Political pundits are unwilling to accept that the real reason can be anything like as ridiculous.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Foreigners unable or unwilling to take their chances before their own courts come to ours.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Yet regulators in other countries might be unwilling to take on such large and complex banks.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Last week he was unwilling to discuss the matter.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Yet most politicians seem either unwilling or unable to talk about it like responsible adults.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But ministers seem unwilling to accept the implications of their policies.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Most motorists seem unwilling to take the risk.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The victims were apparently unwilling to give evidence.
The Sun (2012)
It is a prospect he is unwilling to discuss for the moment.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They seem either unwilling or unable to find jobs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Changes in attendance and being unwilling to take part in school or youth club group activities.
Cohen, Julian & Kay, James Taking Drugs Seriously (1994)
Suffice that she was certainly an unwilling victim of circumstances.
Bethune, Helen Positive Parent Power (1991)
Some involve issues you have previously sidestepped because you were either unwilling or unable to facethem.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Politicians remain unwilling or unable to acknowledge the causes and their mixed messages just add to the problem.
The Sun (2014)
He blamed governments' being unwilling or unable to use more public funds to bolster economic activity.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Reading's season is a story of people unwilling to accept mediocrity.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
At first the Russian army appeared unable or unwilling to control the militias.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Senior managers had to contend with government interference, staff unwilling to accept changes and unions eager to flex their muscles.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They also said that the huge amounts being paid in legal costs were the result of government lawyers being unwilling to settle claims at the earliest opportunity.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It will cost money - money that the Government seems unwilling to provide.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If couples are unwilling to discuss marital struggles at church, they don't get the help they need.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
unwilling
British English: unwilling ADJECTIVE
If you are unwilling to do something, you do not want to do it and will not agree to do it.
Initially the government was unwilling to accept the defeat.
American English: unwilling
Brazilian Portuguese: relutante
Chinese: 不愿意的
European Spanish: no dispuesto
French: peu disposé
German: unwillig
Italian: poco propenso
Japanese: 気が進まない
Korean: 꺼리는
European Portuguese: relutante
Latin American Spanish: no dispuesto
Chinese translation of 'unwilling'
unwilling
(ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ)
adj
to be unwilling to do sth不愿(願)做某事 (bù yuàn zuò mǒushì)
1 (adjective)
Definition
reluctant
Initially the government was unwilling to accept the defeat.
Synonyms
disinclined
He was disinclined to talk about himself.
reluctant
He was reluctant to ask for help.
averse
He's not averse to publicity.
loath
She is loath to give up her hard-earned liberty.
slow
He was not slow to take up the offer.
opposed
resistant
Some people are resistant to the idea of exercise.
not about
not in the mood
indisposed
He seemed indisposed to chat.
Opposites
willing
,
eager
,
inclined
,
disposed
,
amenable
2 (adjective)
Definition
done or said with reluctance
He finds himself an unwilling participant in school politics.
Synonyms
reluctant
grudging
He even earned his opponent's grudging respect.
unenthusiastic
She came across as being unenthusiastic about green issues.
resistant
involuntary
averse
demurring
laggard (rare)
Opposites
willing
,
voluntary
,
eager
,
enthusiastic
,
compliant
,
amenable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of averse
Definition
opposed
He's not averse to publicity.
Synonyms
opposed,
reluctant,
hostile,
unwilling,
backward,
unfavourable,
loath,
disinclined,
inimical,
indisposed,
antipathetic,
ill-disposed
in the sense of grudging
Definition
felt or done unwillingly
He even earned his opponent's grudging respect.
Synonyms
reluctant,
unwilling,
hesitant,
unenthusiastic,
half-hearted
in the sense of indisposed
Definition
unwilling
He seemed indisposed to chat.
Synonyms
unwilling,
reluctant,
loath,
disinclined,
averse
Synonyms of 'unwilling'
unwilling
Explore 'unwilling' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of loath
Definition
reluctant or unwilling
She is loath to give up her hard-earned liberty.
Synonyms
unwilling,
against,
opposed,
counter,
resisting,
reluctant,
backward,
averse,
disinclined,
indisposed
in the sense of resistant
Some people are resistant to the idea of exercise.
Synonyms
opposed,
hostile,
dissident,
unwilling,
defiant,
intractable,
combative,
recalcitrant,
antagonistic,
intransigent
in the sense of slow
Definition
not easily aroused
He was not slow to take up the offer.
Synonyms
unwilling,
reluctant,
loath,
averse,
hesitant,
disinclined,
indisposed
in the sense of unenthusiastic
Definition
not keen about or interested in (something)
She came across as being unenthusiastic about green issues.