un ‧ will ‧ ing /ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ willingness ≠ ↑ unwillingness ; adverb : ↑ willingly ≠ ↑ unwillingly ; adjective : ↑ willing ≠ ↑ unwilling ]
1 . [not before noun] not wanting to do something and refusing to do it
unwilling to do something
He was unwilling or unable to pay the fine.
2 . [only before noun] not wanting to do something but doing it:
an unwilling helper
—unwillingly adverb
—unwillingness noun [uncountable]
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THESAURUS
▪ unwilling/not willing not wanting to do something and refusing to do it:
She's unwilling to admit that she was wrong.
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Stuart was an unwilling participant in the shooting.
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Put away any toys the child is not willing to share, to avoid any problems.
▪ reluctant not willing to do something, although you may be persuaded after a while. Also used when someone does something after at first being unwilling to do it:
He was reluctant to talk about his childhood.
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She gave a reluctant smile.
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the government's reluctant agreement to hold talks
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a reluctant hero
▪ grudging given unwillingly – used about admiration, respect, support, or an apology:
He gave her a grudging apology.
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He could not help feeling a grudging admiration for the old lady.
▪ be loath to do something to not want to do something, especially something that you might have to do – a rather formal use:
He has more staff than he needs, but he is loath to get rid of good people.