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
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While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Baseball’s stubbornness and insistence on staggering all of its postseason games left a terrific pitcher’s duel between two of the game’s young stars to start shortly after lunch on the East Coast and just a bit after breakfast on the West Coast.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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So, why does intellectual stubbornness so often carry the day?—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For him, obstinacy was far worse than correction.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The left’s obstinacy may carry a heavy political price.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While Sehgal’s persistence was key in keeping the project alive through corporate upheavals – going as far as to stash a culture at home – neither Nogrady nor the METEI was ever credited in his landmark publications.—
Ted Powers,
The Conversation,
29 Sep. 2025
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Many locals already have tight circles, and breaking in takes patience and persistence.—
Cepee Tabibian,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 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
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The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
2 May 2023
Noun
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That resolve was echoed across Grand Blanc throughout the week, as people scrambled for ways to do something, anything to help.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Fanilo, a 21-year-old medical student in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo who has been taking part in the demonstrations, said the government's handling of the protests has only strengthened the youth's resolve.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
2 Oct. 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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As traditional energy routes through Russia became politically unviable, and Iran’s intransigence is likely to focus more sanctions on its energy exports, Turkey is positioning itself to fill the gap.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Thanks to the intransigence of the Friends of the Parks group, George Lucas threw up his hands and left.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-will. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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