English Dictionary

UNWILLINGLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does unwillingly mean? 

UNWILLINGLY (adverb)
  The adverb UNWILLINGLY has 1 sense:

1. in an unwilling mannerplay

  Familiarity information: UNWILLINGLY used as an adverb is very rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


UNWILLINGLY (adverb)


Sense 1

Meaning:

In an unwilling manner

Context example:

he had sinned against her unwillingly

Antonym:

willingly (in a willing manner)

Pertainym:

unwilling (not disposed or inclined toward)


 Context examples 


When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she must go, and very unwillingly said so.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

She contemplated it, however, in spite of this drawback, with much emotion, and, but for a yet stronger interest, would have left it unwillingly.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

I cannot lead them unwillingly to danger, and I must return.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Half an hour later Negook and his uncle, Hadikwan, were ushered into the death chamber. They came unwillingly, Hans with his rifle herding them along.

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

The prince begged so hard for his brothers, that the dwarf at last set them free, though unwillingly, saying, “Beware of them, for they have bad hearts.”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

Hal and his sister and brother-in-law listened unwillingly, pitched tent, and overhauled the outfit.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Chagrined and surprised, they were obliged, though unwillingly, to turn back, for no shelter was nearer than their own house.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The dinner, already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly, accepted as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth should have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it as a thing of course that they should dine with them.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

She was privy, one evening, to the hopes of her aunt Norris on the subject, as well as to her feelings, and the feelings of Mrs. Rushworth, on a point of some similarity, and could not help wondering as she listened; and glad would she have been not to be obliged to listen, for it was while all the other young people were dancing, and she sitting, most unwillingly, among the chaperons at the fire, longing for the re-entrance of her elder cousin, on whom all her own hopes of a partner then depended.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

You must, therefore, pardon the freedom with which I demand your attention; your feelings, I know, will bestow it unwillingly, but I demand it of your justice.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Fine words butter no parsnips." (English proverb)

"The hand with mud, the bread with honey." (Albanian proverb)

"Among the blind, the one-eyed man is king." (Arabic proverb)

"A good deed is worth gold." (Dutch proverb)



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