as in willfulness
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
a schoolboy with a streak of self-will and rebellion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-will
But also injuries and ailments at all the wrong times, as well as overt self-will at times.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2025
So for those of us torn between watching the sun get blotted out and getting blotto keeping our attention on a particularly good rock show, this exercise in multi-tasking was a real contest of self-will.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2025
So for those of us torn between watching the sun get blotted out and getting blotto keeping our attention on a particularly good rock show, this exercise in multi-tasking was a real contest of self-will.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-will
Noun
-
This seemed to me to stem not from carelessness or spite but obstinacy.—
erin Khuê Ninh
June 17,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2025
-
Campbell’s thirst to learn protected him from obstinacy.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Today, those same companies pay Espinoza five-figure speaking fees to train and inspire their senior leaders — proof that persistence, when paired with purpose, creates its own path.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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For disillusioned progressives feeling powerless to stop President Trump’s initiatives, La Follette’s career exemplifies the value of rejecting the siren song of frustration and complacency in favor of persistence in pursuing progressive ideals.—
Time,
Time,
16 July 2025
Noun
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The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The political scientist Robert Powell’s game theory model of conventional war and nuclear escalation, for example, has shown that the possibility of conventional war between nuclear powers depends on the level of risk and the balance of resolve.—
Carter Malkasian,
Foreign Affairs,
17 July 2025
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Advertisement Though supporters have billed the measure as a symbolic gesture of budget-cutting resolve, the actual fiscal impact of the package is small.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Related: ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them One possible reason for this obduracy is that noma begins as a dental disease, and dental diseases have long been underappreciated global health concerns.—
John Button,
STAT,
16 Dec. 2023
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Perhaps the greatest testament to Morocco’s obduracy came late in normal time, when Rodri — a central midfielder being deployed as a central defender — strode forward and shot, more in hope than in expectation, from 35 yards.—
Rory Smith,
New York Times,
6 Dec. 2022
Noun
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Trump has appeared in recent months increasingly frustrated by Russia's intransigence, plus by its nightly drone and missile strikes across Ukraine.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
22 July 2025
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Given Putin’s intransigence, the U.S.-led peace process the Trump administration has attempted to spark hasn’t achieved anything other than several rounds of prisoner releases between Russia and Ukraine.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
15 July 2025
Noun
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In just a matter of days, internet users have praised Hall's incredible determination, leading to over 4,100 comments so far.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
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Behind his determination is a fear of failure that weighs on his confidence.—
Brett Burlone,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-will. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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