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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful

Adjective

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.

— Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
This could bring about sudden ideas, or trigger rebellious impulses and creative imagination.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

For lipedema, Power Plate points to research suggesting whole-body vibration boosts lymphatic flow, which may liquefy and drain stubborn lymph fluid, relieve swelling and ease chronic pain.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
The grower will plant again next season, because that is what Israelis do, and the hope in that is stubborn.

— Frayda Leibtag, Time, 13 July 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

The design is open and clean, with a deliberate choice to draw the surrounding scenery deep into the interior of the home.

— Bridget Borgobello July 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
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.

— Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of deliberate

Adjective

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.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
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.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of willful

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