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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 Djuna Bostick, 59, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse by a willful act or omission causing serious bodily injury, according to the Hamlet Police Department. Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025 Rahman pleaded guilty on January 17 to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified national defense information in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 Cruz was the fourth of her parents’ eight children and willful from a young age. Rebecca Grant june 24, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025 Importantly, and unlike the ICA, willful violations of the ADA can incur criminal penalties. Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for willful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful
Adjective
  • Mexican music has always been rock-ish in spirit — sincere, rebellious, a direct message that invites you to rebel against the world.
    Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
  • Strahovski shares details about her character’s state of mind the moment when everything changed with a bold and rebellious move, after finding love again with Commander Wharton (Josh Charles), below.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • These arachnids suck juices from the tomato plants and seemingly all of a sudden build large uncontrollable populations.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
  • Despite months of meticulous planning, there will always be uncontrollable variables that require monitoring..
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 2022, Ackles joined the cast of Prime Video's The Boys as arrogant superhero Soldier Boy.
    Brianne Tracy, People.com, 4 July 2025
  • Her larger-than-life ego and past as a shaman make Player 044 come off as arrogant and selfish, getting under just about everyone's skin.
    EW.com, EW.com, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Not by publishing randomly, but by following a deliberate editorial calendar, revisiting your core challenges, and ensuring each new piece of content connects to the larger arc of your thought leadership story.
    Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Amanda Edwards/WireImage Unlike luxury fashion or high-end accessories, where scarcity is often a deliberate strategy to generate buzz, products like jam and wine fall into the realm of everyday indulgences.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • One of the people that is most stubborn in their support of these spendy projects is Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana.
    Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • For indoor brick, keep it simple by trying a slightly damp brush to sweep away stubborn dirt.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Pride celebrations are typically a daylong mix of jubilant street parties and political protest, but this year’s iterations took a more defiant stance as Republicans, led by President Trump, have sought to roll back LGBTQ+ rights.
    Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • Mamdani’s outspoken support for Palestinian causes was a point of tension in the mayor’s race as Cuomo and other opponents sought to label his defiant criticism of Israel as antisemitic.
    Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 25 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
  • These seemingly arbitrary small items are essentially sweeteners to win over lawmakers who might quibble with the broader thrust of the legislation.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
  • Regardless, the court continues to find that the government's actions were arbitrary and capricious, in part because the government never bothered to define the problems that would get a grant canceled.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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