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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The owner, who was identified as 30-year-old Olivia Underwood, was arrested for willful or malicious torture, maiming or killing of a dog and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center, police said.
—
Megan Forrester, ABC News, 2 June 2025
But the appeals court affirmed a jury's finding that Cox was guilty of willful contributory infringement, raising the likelihood that ISPs would have to terminate customers accused of piracy to avoid liability.
—ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
For now, that willful ignorance cannot disguise cold, hard, round numbers.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 May 2025
Grading for equity amounts to willful and moralized deception, including self-deception.
—The Editors, National Review, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
Megan Forrester, ABC News, 2 June 2025
But the appeals court affirmed a jury's finding that Cox was guilty of willful contributory infringement, raising the likelihood that ISPs would have to terminate customers accused of piracy to avoid liability.
—ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
For now, that willful ignorance cannot disguise cold, hard, round numbers.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 May 2025
Grading for equity amounts to willful and moralized deception, including self-deception.
—The Editors, National Review, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful
Adjective
-
From the start, Handy argues, the on-screen adventures in teen movies have been targeted to a double audience of rebellious teens and anxious adults.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2025
-
In addition to provoking rebellious and impulsive actions, this unpredictable synergy can abruptly derail plans.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes uncontrollable hair loss on the scalp, face, and body.—
Shamsha Damani,
Health,
13 June 2025
-
The laptop soon started doing the same thing as the other machine – with the uncontrollable cursor.—
Scott Kramer,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The protests proved conclusively that Americans will not tolerate the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities, the constant line-stepping over constitutional boundaries, the arrests of political dissenters, or the arrogant defense of police-state tactics.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
-
In Aesop’s fable, the turtle (traditionally called a tortoise, which is a type of turtle) is a winner, a perpetual underdog who defeats the arrogant hare.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Without deliberate human judgment, AI will only amplify hustle habits that keep us busy with everything, rather than prioritizing the few things that truly matter.—
Melissa Daimler,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Instead, the change has occurred through the deliberate erosion of fundamental norms related to belonging and through the weaponization of once neutral institutions.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
That’s what makes their fourth studio album, Lucius, almost defiant in its return to form.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
11 June 2025
-
Asked about his potential exit at the weekend while on international duty for Germany, Ter Stegen was defiant.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
The show premiered Saturday, April 12, and follows three successful Black men on a quest for love—each with a very opinionated mother (or mother figure) tagging along for the entire ride.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
16 Apr. 2025
-
For being such an opinionated, sure person, this is an element in my life that I’ve never been superattached to a yes or no answer.—
Lulu Garcia-Navarro,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
This anecdote is a perfect snapshot of Jameela’s lifelong refusal to accept arbitrary rules.—
Mandeep Rai,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Choosing a side for the wall would have been arbitrary.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share