UNWILLING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does unwilling mean? 

• UNWILLING (adjective)
  The adjective UNWILLING has 2 senses:

1. not disposed or inclined toward

2. in spite of contrary volition

  Familiarity information: UNWILLING used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNWILLING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not disposed or inclined toward

Context example:

unwilling to face facts

Similar:

grudging (of especially an attitude)

loath; loth; reluctant (unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom)

Also:

defiant; noncompliant (boldly resisting authority or an opposing force)

disinclined (unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval)

involuntary; nonvoluntary; unvoluntary (not subject to the control of the will)

Attribute:

disposition; temperament (your usual mood)

Antonym:

willing (disposed or inclined toward)

Derivation:

unwillingness (the trait of being unwilling)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In spite of contrary volition

Context example:

an unwilling smile

Similar:

involuntary; nonvoluntary; unvoluntary (not subject to the control of the will)

Derivation:

unwillingness (the trait of being unwilling)

 Context examples 

That he was most unwilling to do.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He must be either indifferent or unwilling.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

In a week or two, I suppose, we shall be going; and, I trust, Edward will not be very unwilling to accept the charge.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

And the princess, though very unwilling, took him up in her hand, and put him upon the pillow of her own bed, where he slept all night long.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

It was the life in him, unwilling to die, that drove him on.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He was unwilling to let me go; and stood, holding me out, with a hand on each of my shoulders, as he had done in my own room.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Still, however, having proceeded so far, one is unwilling to give the matter up.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Cannot you imagine with what unwilling feelings the former belles of the house of Rushworth did many a time repair to this chapel?

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

I am indeed a most unwilling messenger.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

“About a month,” said Elizabeth; and then, unwilling to let the subject drop, added, “He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I understand.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)