Entry Word: willful

Function: adjective

Meaning:

or wilful

1 given to resisting authority or another's control <a particularly willful horse that took weeks to break to saddle> — see disobedient
2 given to resisting control or discipline by others <finally the parents sought professional counseling for the willful child> — see uncontrollable
3 having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity <a willful disregard for the rights of others> — see arbitrary 1
4 made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing <a willful attempt to cheat siblings out of their rightful inheritance> — see intentional
5 sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion <the kind of willful person who can never bring himself to admit that he made a mistake> — see obstinate