UNWILLING: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for UNWILLING?

Need another word that means the same as “unwilling”? Find 16 synonyms and 30 related words for “unwilling” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Unwilling” are: reluctant, unenthusiastic, hesitant, afraid, resistant, grudging, involuntary, forced, enforced, disinclined, averse, loath, indisposed, not in the mood, slow, not about

Unwilling as an Adjective

Definitions of "Unwilling" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “unwilling” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• In spite of contrary volition.
• Not ready, eager, or prepared to do something.
• Not disposed or inclined toward.

Synonyms of "Unwilling" as an adjective (16 Words)

afraid	Feeling worry or concern or insecurity. I m often afraid to go out on the streets.
averse	Strongly opposed. The bank s approach has been risk averse.
disinclined	Unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval. Disinclined to say anything to anybody.
enforced	Caused by necessity or force; compulsory. A life of enforced inactivity.
forced	Forced or compelled. Promised to abolish forced labor.
grudging	Petty or reluctant in giving or spending. Grudging acceptance of his opponent s victory.
hesitant	Tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking. Clients are hesitant about buying.
indisposed	Strongly opposed. Clearly indisposed to grant their request.
involuntary	Controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control. Gave an involuntary start.
loath	(usually followed by `to’) strongly opposed. I was loath to leave.
not about	On the move.
not in the mood	Currently fashionable.
reluctant	Unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom. Reluctant to help.
resistant	Denoting starch that is not easily broken down by enzymes within the body and is therefore minimally absorbed during digestion. Cooked rice like bread contains a useful amount of resistant starch which acts like fibre in the digestive system.
slow	Of a sports field or ground likely to make the ball bounce or run slowly or to prevent competitors from travelling fast. He was slow in reacting to the news.
unenthusiastic	Not enthusiastic; lacking excitement or ardor. Unenthusiastic applause.

Usage Examples of "Unwilling" as an adjective

• An unwilling assistant.
• An unwilling smile.
• Unwilling conscripts.
• He was unwilling to take on that responsibility.
• Unwilling to face facts.

Associations of "Unwilling" (30 Words)

abominate	Find repugnant. They abominated the very idea of monarchy.
abomination	A person who is loathsome or disgusting. Concrete abominations masquerading as hotels.
averse	Strongly opposed. Averse to taking risks.
avert	Turn away (one’s eyes or thoughts. They averted their eyes when the King entered.
defiance	Intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude. An act of defiance.
detest	Dislike intensely. She detests politicians.
detestation	Hate coupled with disgust. He is the detestation of the neighbourhood.
disinclination	A certain degree of unwillingness. His disinclination for modesty is well known.
disinclined	Unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval. The rural community was disinclined to abandon the old ways.
dislike	Have or feel a dislike or distaste for. They had taken a dislike to each other.
execrate	Find repugnant. They were execrated as dangerous and corrupt.
grudging	Of especially an attitude. Gave grudging consent.
hate	Express strong dislike for; criticize or abuse. The boys hate each other.
hesitancy	The quality or state of being hesitant. Jackson took advantage of some hesitancy in the defence to rifle in a shot.
hesitantly	In a tentative or unsure manner. He finally accepted hesitantly.
hesitating	Tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking. His hesitating delivery.
hesitatingly	With hesitation; in a hesitant manner.
irresolution	Doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action. A moment of irresolution.
loath	Reluctant; unwilling. Loath to admit a mistake.
loathe	Find repugnant. She loathed him on sight.
loathing	A feeling of intense dislike or disgust; hatred. The thought filled him with loathing.
lurk	Read the postings in an internet forum without actively contributing. A ruthless killer still lurked in the darkness.
negatively	In a way that indicates absence of a certain substance or condition. Women who originally tested negatively for the hepatitis C virus.
reluctance	(physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance. A reluctance to commit himself.
reluctant	Unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom. They were usually reluctant to socialize.
reluctantly	In an unwilling and hesitant way. He reluctantly agrees to do his duty.
skulk	Avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill. The skulk howls away into the night.
unintentional	Without deliberate intent- George Macdonald. An unintentional pun.
unwillingly	In an unwilling manner. Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight.
vacillating	Wavering between different opinions or actions; irresolute. He was accused of vacillating leadership.