Unwilling
Unwilling is an adjective used to describe a person or thing that lacks willingness to act, or that is opposed to taking a particular action. It connotes reluctance, hesitation, or outright refusal, in contrast with willing or eager. In sentences it commonly appears before a to-infinitive or a clause, as in “She was unwilling to compromise” or “The workers were unwilling to enter the building.”
The noun form is unwillingness, and the adverbial form is unwillingly.
Etymology and morphology: Unwilling derives from un- (a negating prefix) + willing, from Old English willian or
Usage notes: Unwilling can imply personal preference, moral or practical restraint, or external pressure. It is
Common related terms: unwillingness (noun), unwillingly (adverb). See also synonyms such as reluctant, averse, disinclined.