variants
or wilful
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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4
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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5
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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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of willful
There’s been some willful misinterpretation by the media in response.
—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
There is the willful weakness of Congress, the overblown power of the Supreme Court and the improbability of new Constitutional amendments.
—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
24 June 2026
The willful Sun harmonizes with Chiron, offering opportunities for growth in your 9th House of Learning, encouraging questions and practical wisdom that make big ideas workable.
—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2026
The Department of Public Safety said case is being sent to the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office for prosecution of both suspects on charges of willful animal abandonment and conspiracy.
—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for willful
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
There is the willful weakness of Congress, the overblown power of the Supreme Court and the improbability of new Constitutional amendments.
—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
24 June 2026
The willful Sun harmonizes with Chiron, offering opportunities for growth in your 9th House of Learning, encouraging questions and practical wisdom that make big ideas workable.
—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2026
The Department of Public Safety said case is being sent to the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office for prosecution of both suspects on charges of willful animal abandonment and conspiracy.
—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for willful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful
Adjective
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For seven seasons, a hodgepodge crew mixing Starfleet and the rebellious Maquis put aside their differences after they got zapped 70,000 lightyears away from Earth, deep into the uncharted Delta Quadrant.
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This could bring about sudden ideas, or trigger rebellious impulses and creative imagination.
Adjective
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The weather service’s forecast discussion for Kansas City said the stubborn heat could last through the Fourth of July.
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Against all odds, the stubborn housing market has become a hotspot for young talent.
Adjective
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Hundreds of people have been detained and Serbia's police was accused of excessive force and arbitrary arrests.
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Hundreds of people have been detained and Serbia’s police was accused of excessive force and arbitrary arrests.
Adjective
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The design is open and clean, with a deliberate choice to draw the surrounding scenery deep into the interior of the home.
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Prosecutors call Hearn’s actions a deliberate, violent act causing more than $1,000 in damage, and his attorneys denounce the case as an alarming misuse of government power.
Adjective
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While waiting to go to court, Zaayer remained adamant that Shawna needed to go to prison but was also convinced that David — who worked at the nearby jail — was protecting his wife from receiving an adequate punishment, per The Guardian.
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But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has been adamant that there are not enough votes in the Senate to pass the legislation, given the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
Adjective
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Starmer had previously vowed to stand in any formal Labour leadership race triggered by rebel lawmakers who feating a 2029 election wipeout sought to replace him.
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Many rebel groups are offshoots of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which had been fighting to overthrow the government since the 1960s and had been the country's largest guerrilla organization.
Adjective
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The jealousy that emanates from every pore of this guy is uncontrollable.
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An uncontrollable laugh when tickled is vastly different from a polite laugh in a meeting, an infectious laugh during a movie, or a nervous little giggle after making a mistake.
Adjective
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West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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