definitely unwilling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely unwilling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a strong refusal or lack of desire to do something. Example: "She was definitely unwilling to compromise on her principles, no matter the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For all willingness questions the responses ranged from '1 = definitely unwilling to 5 = definitely willing'.

BMC Health Services Research

Each question was rated on the following scale: 1. Definitely willing, 2. Probably willing, 3. Probably unwilling, 4. Definitely unwilling.

BMC Psychiatry

Following Link et al, the Australian version of the test required the respondent to rate each item on a 4-point scale: definitely willing, probably willing, probably unwilling and definitely unwilling.

BMC Psychiatry

More than half of respondents were "definitely willing" to participate in each of two hypothetical clinical trials about which they were asked and less than 5% were definitely unwilling to participate (Table 5).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Thus 14.4% of respondents were definitely or probably unwilling to socialise with a person with GAD, and 14.4% were unwilling to make friends, 23.2% to move next door, 23.7% to work closely and 36.1% to have someone with GAD marry into the family.

BMC Psychiatry

For data analysis, the willingness scale was further dichotomized into "willing" (definitely or probably) and "unwilling" (probably not, definitely not, or not sure).

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

Responses were dichotomized to willing ("definitely willing" and "probably willing") or unwilling ("unsure," "probably not willing" and "definitely not willing") [ 12, 23].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

"He's definitely missing the point in the sense that safer consumption spaces are specifically for people who are unable or unwilling to stop using," said Jon Zibbell, a senior public health analyst at the nonprofit research group RTI International.

Huffington Post

She said that, unwilling….

The New Yorker

"There is definitely a softening of the Russian political tone," the Turkish official said, adding that Mr. Putin had acknowledged that Mr. Assad seemed unwilling to depart.

The New York Times

Sceptics are unwilling to wait.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely unwilling" to express a firm and unambiguous lack of willingness. Its strength makes it suitable when you need to emphasize a refusal or strong reluctance.

Common error

Avoid using "definitely unwilling" in contexts that require subtlety or diplomacy. Its strong tone can come across as overly harsh or confrontational if not used carefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely unwilling" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "unwilling". It expresses a strong and decisive lack of willingness. Ludwig confirms its correct usage for emphasizing refusal or reluctance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "definitely unwilling" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, used to emphasize a firm refusal or lack of desire. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides examples from reputable sources. While not extremely common, it's found in both scientific and news contexts. When using the phrase, be mindful of its strong tone and consider alternatives like "absolutely unwilling" or "firmly opposed" if a more subtle approach is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely unwilling

Emphasizes the unwillingness to an even greater degree.

completely unwilling

Highlights the total lack of willingness.

firmly opposed

Indicates a strong stance against something.

adamantly against

Conveys a resolute opposition.

resolutely disinclined

Highlights a determined lack of inclination.

strongly reluctant

Emphasizes the hesitancy involved.

dead set against

An idiomatic expression indicating strong opposition.

having no desire to

Focuses on the absence of any wish to do something.

under no circumstances

Highlights the conditions in which something will not happen.

categorically refuse

Emphasizes outright rejection.

FAQs

How to use "definitely unwilling" in a sentence?

You can use "definitely unwilling" to express a firm refusal or lack of desire. For example: "She was "definitely unwilling" to compromise on her principles."

What can I say instead of "definitely unwilling"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely unwilling", "firmly opposed", or "strongly reluctant" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "definitely unwilling" or "unwilling definitely"?

"Definitely unwilling" is the standard and grammatically correct order. Placing "definitely" after "unwilling" sounds awkward and is not common in English.

What's the difference between "definitely unwilling" and "probably unwilling"?

"Definitely unwilling" indicates a firm and certain lack of willingness, while "probably unwilling" suggests a lower degree of certainty and leaves room for potential persuasion.