willful

adjective

will·​ful ˈwil-fəl How to pronounce willful (audio)
variants or wilful
1
: obstinately and often perversely self-willed
a stubborn and willful child
2
: done deliberately : intentional
willful disobedience
willfully adverb
willfulness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for willful

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control.

unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

ungovernable rage

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Examples of willful in a Sentence

a stubborn and willful child He has shown a willful disregard for other people's feelings.
Recent Examples on the Web Trump is charged with the unauthorized possession and willful retention of national defense information. Robert Legare, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024 That section bars the willful retention of national defense information by someone not authorized to have it. Perry Stein, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Airman 1st Class Jack Teixeira had been charged with six counts of willful retention of defense records for allegedly sharing classified documents through the social media platform Discord. USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 Mayorkas, 64, now faces two charges from the House: willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust. Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024 The House of Representatives impeached the sitting cabinet secretary on February 13 for his willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and his breach of the public trust. Dan Stein, National Review, 1 Mar. 2024 Teixeira, a Massachusetts native who was 21 when he was arrested, is charged with six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information related to national defense. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024 In June, Teixeira pleaded not guilty to six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 From 2019 to 2023, OSHA said inspectors performed eight investigations of ALJ worksites that resulted in the issuance of 24 willful citations, 16 serious citations, and more than $2.3 million in penalties. Steve Lieberman, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'willful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of willful was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near willful

Cite this Entry

“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willful. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

willful

adjective
will·​ful
variants or wilful
1
: stubbornly determined to have one's own way
a willful child
2
: done deliberately : intentional
willful obedience
willfully adverb
willfulness noun

Legal Definition

willful

adjective
will·​ful
variants or wilful
: not accidental : done deliberately or knowingly and often in conscious violation or disregard of the law, duty, or the rights of others
willful injury
willfully adverb
willfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on willful

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