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will

will

871 2.6
Strong determination to do something despite difficulty
  • noun
  • /wɪl/
translation icon : voluntad
  • Finally, many countries lack the resources, institutions, or political will to implement such policies.
  • free will
  • political will
  • an act of will

That's a very strong act of will to say no.

Examples

  • Despite this shift in practice, political will for stabilization and reconstruction remains uncertain.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Here we all are, back on Earth, with nothing but our wit and our will to save the world.

  • I have no face and little will of my own.

  • We do not question the will of God, my son.

  • It's a nice example of a legal system set up to respond to the will of its citizens.

  • Your will is at battle with your conscience.

  • The world needs new ideas and a political will to improve its well-being.

    Academic text (2017)
  • It's difficult sometimes, but good will is not a luxury; it's an absolute necessity.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Max was avenged not by the people's collective will but by one solitary woman who loved him.

    Academic text (2017)
  • My question was whether Congress has the will to do anything like that right now.

Synonyms

decision
vswill
569 1.0

A quality of being firm and determined when choosing or acting

is the general inner power that enables choices and intentions
purpose
vswill
295 3.5

A strong wish to achieve something and not give up

is the inner power for choosing, not limited to goal oriented drive
determination
vswill
142 3.0

Being firm and not giving up when trying to reach a goal

is the inner power to make choices rather than long effort
willpower
vswill
45 4.3

The power to control your actions, feelings, and urges when things are hard

is the general power to choose and intend, not only self control
volition
vswill
21 8.5

Choosing to do something by your own will without being forced

is the inner power that supports choices and strong intention
decisiveness
vswill
5 3.2

The ability to choose quickly and confidently

is the steady inner determination, not focused on speed
resoluteness
vswill
1 6.0

The quality of staying very determined and not changing your mind when things are difficult

is the power to decide, not only the steady refusal to change
decidedness
vswill
6.5

Being clear and firm when you choose what to do

is the broader inner strength behind choices beyond single acts

Antonyms

43 6.2

A lack of interest or care about things

19 3.4

Not able to make a choice quickly or with confidence

Idioms

53 3.2

Whenever you want with no limits

What happens becomes clear later

to heads will roll
  • Offensive
2 8.2

Warn that people will be punished or lose their jobs

1 7.9

A sudden time when many people lose control and chaos starts

1 6.0

To act with strong effort and energy

Persuade someone to do what you want

To do what someone else wants even if you do not want to

Says an angry argument is likely to happen

Words that comfort someone by saying things will get better

9.9

You say this when you are very sure something will happen

murder will out
  • Archaic
9.9

The truth about a crime or wrong will come out eventually

A phrase that says hurt to the body is worse than insults and words do not hurt

A question asking which person is the real one

Compounds

93 5.8

Ability to choose what you do without being controlled by outside forces

61 6.6

A plan or wish of God that guides what happens

19 5.3

A strong feeling of dislike or anger toward someone

living will
  • Specialized
14 5.7

An official paper that says what medical care you want if you cannot make decisions

11 1.9

A friendly, helpful feeling toward other people

5 3.9

A strong desire to do well in competition or hard situations

4 4.6

Very strong determination not to give up

will-o'-the-wisp
  • Literature
1 9.9

A pale flickering light that appears at night over marshes

probate will
  • Formal
8.1

A court paper that confirms a dead person's wishes and lets named people manage their money and things

6.5

A strong wish to do things your own way even when others tell you not to

will o' the wisp
  • Literature
9.9

A thing that seems close but cannot be reached

will-maker
  • Specialized
4.6

A person who writes a will saying who gets their things after they die

will-o'-the-wisp
  • Literature
9.9

A hope that leads people on but cannot be reached

How Determined

resolve
92 4.4
determination
142 3.0
willpower
45 4.3
will
871 2.6
intention
709 2.2
inclination
61 4.2

Surface Forms

will singular
wills plural

Etymology

Will comes from an old English word meaning 'wish' or 'desire'. So, will is like an inner wish that pushes you to decide and act, which is why it means the power or determination to make choices.