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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uncontrollable
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 arrogant
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stubborn
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
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Recent Examples of willful
Plaintiffs also can seek punitive damages if malice, fraud, knowledge or willful avoidance can be proven.
—
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
The willful reluctance of Western policymakers to recognize the importance of cognitive warfare carries the risk of irreversible losses in power and influence worldwide, the key factors that determine strategic outcomes in global competition.
—Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
Staffing cuts to agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency are a willful cruelty one former leader of the agency hasn’t seen in her lifetime.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Teixeira had also pleaded guilty last March to six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information following his posting of more than 100 classified documents covering topics including Ukraine and intelligence gathered via spying on allies.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
The willful reluctance of Western policymakers to recognize the importance of cognitive warfare carries the risk of irreversible losses in power and influence worldwide, the key factors that determine strategic outcomes in global competition.
—Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
Staffing cuts to agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency are a willful cruelty one former leader of the agency hasn’t seen in her lifetime.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Teixeira had also pleaded guilty last March to six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information following his posting of more than 100 classified documents covering topics including Ukraine and intelligence gathered via spying on allies.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful
Adjective
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Lesser powers that find themselves under the dominion of a great power against their wishes can be resentful and rebellious.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
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In 1978, an ambitious and rebellious young woman, Marina Bulgari, decamped from her family business to branch out with her own jewelry brand.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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At least, as much as possible in an inherently uncontrollable industry.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The sloppy security breaches, the embarrassing headlines, the uncontrollable infighting and undermining, the lack of accountability — this all belongs to Hegseth.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That doesn’t portray a hero, but rather someone so arrogant as to invent his own law and appoint himself its executioner.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
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Fed Up in Illinois Dear Fed Up: Is Edie mean, arrogant, disobedient and rude in the presence of her parents, or has she been invited to spend time with your girls separately?—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Not an add-on department, but a deliberate disruption team.—
Abigail Stuart,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Such a method is needed in order to understand African Americans’ deliberate retooling of British literature, drawing attention to the systemic social forces at play as well as the minute mechanisms of textual appropriation.—
Abby Clayton,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Why Communication Training Often Fails To Stick Some people are very stubborn and stick to their communication style, even when confronted.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Traders do see the Fed cutting in June, but much can change between now and then, and a stubborn central bank could set off Trump again.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host, was defiant in remarks to reporters earlier Monday.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2025
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But when asked about the lack of norms and decorum in the current political climate and whether Democrats need to play on the same level, Himes was defiant.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Fan reactions in the comments were as opinionated as they were divided.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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Media Bias/Fact Check also says that the blending of news with opinionated commentary on Fox News may blur the lines between factual reporting and partisan viewpoints.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Most times, these changes are a result of the over-analysis of some arbitrary KPIs meant to gauge the health and growth of the platform.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2025
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The plaintiffs had argued that the geographic targeting order was unlawfully issued without undergoing the notice-and-comment procedures prescribed by federal law and that the rule is arbitrary and capricious under federal law.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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