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Suffix · forms adjectives

-willed

having a will of a specified strength or character; describing the force, direction, or quality of a person's determination

In Spanish: de voluntad / de carácterLiterary

Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated June 2026

What this suffix does

-willed forms compound adjectives that describe the strength, quality, and moral direction of a person's will — their capacity for determination, resistance, and self-direction. Strong-willed, iron-willed, weak-willed, self-willed, ill-willed — each compound describes not just how much determination someone has but what that determination is like and where it is pointed. These compounds are among the most powerful character descriptors in English because the will is seen as the core of moral agency: how you will something says everything about who you are.

How it is pronounced

-willed

Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.

Examples

Base word
With -willed
In a phrase
  • strongstrong-willedThe strong-willed child refused to change her answer even after the teacher corrected her three times.
  • ironiron-willedThe iron-willed general maintained discipline in the regiment through conditions that would have broken lesser commanders.
  • weakweak-willedHe described himself as weak-willed around chocolate, though he was perfectly disciplined in every other area of his life.
  • selfself-willedThe self-willed artist refused every commission that required compromising her vision.
  • illill-willedThe review was clearly ill-willed — it attacked the author personally rather than engaging with the arguments.

Common mistakes

strong-willed = stubborn and difficult
strong-willed is usually admiring — it implies admirable determination

"Strong-willed" and "stubborn" are related but not synonyms. "Stubborn" focuses on the refusal to change, usually seen as a flaw. "Strong-willed" focuses on the force and stability of the will, usually seen as a virtue — admirable persistence, resistance to pressure, the capacity to hold a course despite difficulty. Context can tip it either way, but the default charge is positive.

weak-willed = weak in general
weak-willed specifically means lacking willpower or self-discipline, not general weakness

"Weak-willed" is specifically about willpower and the capacity for self-discipline and resistance to temptation. Someone can be physically powerful, intellectually brilliant, and emotionally resilient while being weak-willed in specific areas (around food, spending, commitments). The weakness is targeted, not general.

A trick to remember it

In English the "will" carries enormous moral weight — it is the capacity that makes a person responsible for their choices. -willed compounds are therefore some of the most direct character judgments in the language. "Iron-willed" praises the hardness and reliability of a person's determination; "weak-willed" is a deep criticism of their moral reliability. When you use these compounds you are not just describing behaviour — you are passing judgment on character.

Practise what you learned

Exercise 1 · Form the word

Fill in: "She was too ___ to abandon the project even when three of her partners had already given up." (showing great determination, resistant to giving up)

Hint: Strong + willed = whose will is strong and resistant to pressure.

Exercise 2 · Pick the right one

"The iron-willed negotiator refused every compromise that would have weakened the agreement." What does "iron-willed" suggest?

Exercise 3 · Form the word

Fill in: "Critics described the policy as ___, serving only the narrow interests of its designers." (driven by malicious intentions, designed to harm others)

Hint: Ill + willed = whose will is directed toward harm.

Frequently asked questions

What does the suffix -willed mean in English?

The suffix -willed having a will of a specified strength or character; describing the force, direction, or quality of a person's determination In Spanish it usually maps to de voluntad / de carácter.

Can you give an example of a word with -willed?

"strong" becomes "strong-willed". It is a typical example of the -willed suffix.

Other useful suffixes

  • -hearted

    having a specified disposition, spirit, or emotional character

  • -minded

    having a particular way of thinking, values, or mental outlook

  • -spirited

    having a spirit or energy of a specified kind; describing the vitality, moral disposition, or social orientation of a person

Learn every English suffix

-tion, -ness, -ful, -ly, -able... every ending you need to understand thousands of words at once.

View all suffixes
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