WILFUL Synonyms: 314 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'willful' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of willful are headstrong , intractable , recalcitrant , refractory , ungovernable , and unruly . While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way. // a willful disregard for the rights of others

Q: When can 'headstrong' be used instead of 'willful'?

Although the words headstrong and willful have much in common, headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion. // a headstrong young cavalry officer

Q: When would 'intractable' be a good substitute for 'willful'?

The words intractable and willful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control. // intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

Q: When is 'recalcitrant' a more appropriate choice than 'willful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to willful , recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority. // acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

Q: Where would 'refractory' be a reasonable alternative to 'willful'?

While the synonyms refractory and willful are close in meaning, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold. // special schools for refractory children

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ungovernable' instead of 'willful'?

The synonyms ungovernable and willful are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Q: When might 'unruly' be a better fit than 'willful'?

In some situations, the words unruly and willful are roughly equivalent. However, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior. // unruly children

willful

adjective

ˈwil-fəl

variants or wilful

Definition of willful

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control a particularly willful horse that took weeks to break to saddle

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as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others finally the parents sought professional counseling for the willful child

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as in arbitrary

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

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as in deliberate

made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing a willful attempt to cheat her siblings out of their rightful inheritance

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as in adamant

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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective willful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of willful are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, ungovernable, and unruly. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

When can headstrong be used instead of willful?

Although the words headstrong and willful have much in common, headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When would intractable be a good substitute for willful?

The words intractable and willful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When is recalcitrant a more appropriate choice than willful?

While in some cases nearly identical to willful, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

Where would refractory be a reasonable alternative to willful?

While the synonyms refractory and willful are close in meaning, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When is it sensible to use ungovernable instead of willful?

The synonyms ungovernable and willful are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When might unruly be a better fit than willful?

In some situations, the words unruly and willful are roughly equivalent. However, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of willful Federal law generally prohibits direct service connection for addiction classified as resulting from willful misconduct. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 29 June 2026 His clippings included reporting on Black students facing higher rates of suspension for willful defiance and a cover story on Oak Park residents who offered a history of the neighborhood. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026 Value meets vision as the willful Sun activates your 2nd House of Finances in a quincunx to intense Pluto in your 9th House of Exploration. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026 There’s been some willful misinterpretation by the media in response. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for willful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful

Adjective

The inspiration behind this rock-and-roll icon, however, lies in Hindu spiritual symbolism, whose meanings contrast sharply with the rebellious image the logo projects.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026
Judy Davis stars as Sybylla, a rebellious young woman in 19th century Australia who longs to be a writer, but her traditionalist parents refuse to indulge those dreams, sending her to board with her wealthy grandmother instead.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

In previous work, Sarkar and his colleagues developed a method capable of self-testing arbitrary quantum states and measurements.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
Retirement experts caution, though, that any arbitrary savings goal is of limited use, more a guidepost than a hard target.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Definition of arbitrary

Adjective

My decision to pursue space infrastructure is a deliberate choice to help ensure that African women have a meaningful role in designing humanity’s next frontier.

— Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
Film Independent President Juan Devis described the evolution as a deliberate break from legacy recognition toward something more active.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of deliberate

Adjective

This summer has been challenging, yet Newcastle are adamant that their 85 per cent majority owner, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is determined to spend up to the maximum within the rules moving forward.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
And while an old Interceptor would be a pretty dumb platform to build a track car with, Jensen’s new management is adamant that this is not the revival of the old Interceptor.

— Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 16 July 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

Under the Obama administration, an international coalition targeting the Libyan regime of Moammar Qadafi during the country’s 2011 civil war struck his fleeing convoy, leading to his capture and killing by rebel fighters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Assad was forced to flee the country after government forces collapsed in the face of a surprise offensive launched by a coalition of rebel groups, led by Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of rebel

Adjective

When an ocelot begins prowling the neighborhood and a mysterious green light appears in the sky, Bernardo is forced to confront the harsh, uncontrollable nature of growing up.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 13 July 2026
McCall tried to create a contrast between the locations, with the Cady clan’s surroundings having an overgrown quality reflecting the uncontrollable insanity at the heart of the family.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

Definition of uncontrollable

Adjective

West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.

— David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.

— Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of arrogant

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“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of willful

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