willpower

/ˌwɪlˈpaʊər/

/ˈwɪlpaʊwə/

Other forms: willpowers

Willpower is the ability to control or restrain yourself. If you bake brownies and can keep yourself from tasting them until after dinner, you can thank your willpower.

A less descriptive — but simpler — way to say willpower is simply will. Whichever word you prefer, you can use it to describe someone's deliberate or purposeful control. In the case of willpower, the person is likely to be resisting a temptation or impulse. It takes willpower not to argue with someone whose opinions make you angry, and willpower to eat just one potato chip.

Definitions of willpower

1. noun

   the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior
   synonyms: possession, self-command, self-control, self-possession, self-will, will power

   types:

   nerves

   control of your emotions

   presence of mind

   self-control in a crisis; ability to say or do the right thing in an emergency

   type of:

   firmness, firmness of purpose, resoluteness, resolution, resolve

   the trait of being resolute