unwillingness

IPA/ʌnˈwɪlɪŋnəs/
KK[ənwˈɪlɪŋnɪs]IPA/ʌnˈwɪlɪŋnəs/

unwillingness — noun

1. The condition of being mentally opposed to doing something — shown when a person

1.nounB2
Definition

The condition of being mentally opposed to doing something — shown when a person avoids a task, turns down a request, or makes excuses rather than acting.

Example

Caleb showed an unwillingness to share his study notes with the rest of the group.

unwillingness + to-infinitive after show

The manager grew frustrated with the team's unwillingness to try the new system.

possessive + unwillingness + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • unwillingness to accept
  • unwillingness to change
  • unwillingness to compromise
  • unwillingness to cooperate
  • stubborn unwillingness
  • persistent unwillingness
  • complete unwillingness
  • show an unwillingness
  • express unwillingness
  • display unwillingness
Synonyms
  • reluctance

    suggests hesitation rather than outright refusal; milder than unwillingness

  • disinclination

    more formal and weaker — a lack of personal interest rather than active objection

  • resistance

    stronger — active opposition or fighting against doing something

Antonyms
  • willingness

    the opposite state — wanting and being ready to do something

  • eagerness

    stronger than willingness — keen and enthusiastic desire to act

Grammar Patterns

[possessive] unwillingness + to-infinitive

there + be + (a) + unwillingness + among/between + noun phrase + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — no plural form. Commonly followed by a to-infinitive clause that specifies the action the person avoids. The possessive form before the noun (e.g. his unwillingness, the team's unwillingness) is very frequent in both speech and writing.

Common Mistakes

He showed an unwillingness for helping.
He showed an unwillingness to help.
unwillingness is followed by to-infinitive, not for + gerund.
Several unwillingnesses were noted.
Several signs of unwillingness were noted.
unwillingness is uncountable and has no plural form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Unwillingness is the broadest term — it describes the simple state of not wanting to do something, which may or may not lead to refusal. Reluctance is milder: a reluctant person will do the thing if pushed, but they hesitate and do not enjoy it. Disinclination is even weaker and more formal — it suggests a lack of personal interest rather than any strong objection (e.g. a disinclination to discuss politics at a dinner party). Resistance is the strongest of the four — it implies active opposition or fighting against an action, not merely not wanting it. For example, 'The child showed an unwillingness to go to bed' (general not-wanting). 'He agreed with reluctance to lend his car' (hesitation). 'Her disinclination to travel kept her from applying for the job' (mild lack of interest). 'The residents mounted strong resistance to the new highway' (active opposition).

unwillingness ↗reluctance ↗disinclination ↗resistance ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • unwillingness to cooperate
  • unwillingness to change
  • unwillingness to compromise
  • unwillingness to accept
  • unwillingness to pay

Adverbs

Phrases

  • show an unwillingness
  • express unwillingness
  • display unwillingness
  • demonstrate unwillingness
  • a sign of unwillingness

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed by adding the suffix -ness to the adjective unwilling, which itself combines the Old English prefix un- (meaning 'not') with the adjective willing (from Old English willian 'to wish, desire, be willing'). The whole word has been built from native English parts since the Old English period.