unwillingly

unwillingly — adverb

1. in a manner that shows you are not happy about doing something, but you still do

1.adverbB2
Definition

in a manner that shows you are not happy about doing something, but you still do it because you feel you have to or because others are putting pressure on you

Example

Christopher unwillingly agreed to help his younger brother with the math homework.

unwillingly + agree to + infinitive (verb of compliance)

After two hours of heated debate, the committee unwillingly approved the budget cuts.

Common collocations
  • unwillingly agree
  • unwillingly accept
  • unwillingly admit
  • unwillingly apologize
  • unwillingly comply
  • unwillingly participate
  • unwillingly share
  • unwillingly withdraw
  • unwillingly give up
Synonyms
  • reluctantly

    the most common near-synonym; slightly softer, implying hesitation rather than strong opposition

  • grudgingly

    suggests resentment or annoyance while doing the action

  • under duress

    more formal and legalistic; stresses external threat or coercion

  • against one's will

    stronger; implies the person was actively opposed, not merely reluctant

Antonyms
  • willingly

    with desire and good will, the direct opposite

  • gladly

    with pleasure and eagerness

  • eagerly

    with strong enthusiasm

Grammar Patterns

unwillingly + verb (especially verbs of compliance: agree, accept, allow, admit, share, withdraw)

Usage Note

Commonly pairs with verbs that describe giving in to a request or requirement, such as 'agree,' 'accept,' 'allow,' 'apologize,' 'admit,' 'comply,' and 'withdraw.' It places the focus on the doer's lack of desire, not on external force.

Common Mistakes

She unwillingly wanted to go to the party.
She unwillingly went to the party.
'unwillingly' describes the action itself, not a feeling or wish.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four describe doing something you would rather not do, but they differ in emotional tone and register. 'Reluctantly' is the most neutral and common — it suggests hesitation or doubt rather than strong opposition (She reluctantly agreed to join the committee). 'Grudgingly' adds a layer of resentment: the person does it but shows annoyance (He grudgingly paid the fine). 'Under duress' is a formal, often legal phrase implying serious external pressure or threat (The confession was signed under duress). 'Against one's will' is the strongest, implying the person actively refused and the action happened despite that protest (They were taken against their will). For everyday writing, 'reluctantly' is usually the best choice; 'unwillingly' itself fits between 'reluctantly' and 'grudgingly' in intensity.

reluctantly ↗grudginglyunder duressagainst one's will

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • somewhat unwillingly
  • clearly unwillingly
  • visibly unwillingly

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'unwilling' (which combines the Old English prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' with 'willing,' from 'willan' — to wish or desire) plus the adverbial suffix '-ly.' The adjective 'unwilling' is recorded from the early 1300s, and the adverb form 'unwillingly' appears soon after, around the late 1300s.