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 next

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

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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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 Yet spiritually agnostic voters may take comfort in Talarico’s rejection of Paxton’s willful mix of Church and state. —

Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026 Gadd’s latest is a study of willful repression and cycles of abuse, not unconscious rediscovery and evolution in the aftermath. —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026 According to the sheriff's office, the pair is wanted on suspicion of murder and willful cruelty to a child resulting in death. —

Jose Fabian, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026 Late last year Rivera’s family filed a nine-count lawsuit against Baker, the city and CPD, alleging willful and wanton conduct, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. —

Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for willful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful

Adjective

Kravitz's sign is adventurous, blunt and always chasing a new adventure, while Styles' sign is rebellious, independent and slightly unpredictable.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
This tale of a rebellious unemployed mouse has already won a Goya.

— Kevin Giraud, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026

Definition of rebellious

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“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

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