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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 The father, Jake Haro, previously pleaded guilty to willful cruelty to a child following a 2018 arrest, KABC reported. Megan Forrester, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2025 Jake Haro's history with law enforcement was also previously reported by The Orange County Register, noting that he had been convicted of felony willful child cruelty in June 2023. Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025 The funeral home is under investigation for willful dishonest conduct, negligence and fraud, among other charges, according to state documents. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025 Any pretense of the pure or organic is undercut by a kind of willful alchemy; everything is an admixture. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for willful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful
Adjective
  • Written by Kaitlin Reilly and Dorian Keyes, the film follows a rebellious bad boy and a type-A overachiever who join forces to win the student body presidency – and maybe each other’s hearts along the way.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In business, as in life, there are times when conformity is an asset, but in others, embracing your individuality, inhabiting your rebellious spirit and being a true trailblazer are what lead to success.
    Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The main risk is that these batteries can overheat and go into thermal runaway, a chain reaction that occurs when a lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state—resulting in extremely high temperature, smoke and, ultimately, a fire that is notoriously difficult to put out.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • See a doctor if your bumps do not improve with home care or if the itching is uncontrollable.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These early years emphasized goofiness, offensiveness, and mocking arrogant celebrities who pushed their platforms at award shows.
    Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The announcement was made during a backstage segment involving NXT General Manager Ava and the arrogant superstar Lexis King.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Understand who holds the greatest influence over promotion decisions in your organization and make a deliberate effort to be visible to them.
    Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Acutis' canonization marks a deliberate Vatican effort to present contemporary, relatable holy figures who can speak to younger generations about faith lived in the digital age.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Viewers were quick to point out the hilarity of the dog's stubborn protest, with many suggesting that the dachshund had already claimed permanent rights to the bed.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The stubborn myth that Jews are too safe to be targets is colliding with a painful new reality.
    Andrew Weinstein, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But to Hollywood, Pusser’s defiant story was irresistible.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • A day earlier, at his pre-match news conference, Pochettino sounded defensive and defiant.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With the litigation settlement, there will be no power sharing among a group of diversely opinionated siblings.
    Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • When opinionated classmate Arthur (Will Price) gripes about how inclusivity has bumped men like him out of the competitive academic ranks, Maggie is quick to clap back.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • If senior figures display rudeness or disrespect, employees may assume that such behavior is acceptable, making selective enforcement seem arbitrary and undermining of trust.
    Andrew Binns, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Moreover, Burroughs further held that the administration’s actions were arbitrary and capricious, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
    Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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