To save this word, you'll need to log in.
1
given to resisting authority or another's control
- a particularly willful horse that took weeks to break to saddle
- balky,
- contrary,
- contumacious,
- defiant,
- disobedient,
- froward,
- incompliant,
- insubordinate,
- intractable,
- obstreperous,
- rebel,
- rebellious,
- recalcitrant,
- recusant,
- refractory,
- restive,
- ungovernable,
- unruly,
- untoward,
- wayward
- adamant,
- adamantine,
- dogged,
- hardheaded,
- headstrong,
- immovable,
- implacable,
- inflexible,
- mulish,
- negativistic,
- obdurate,
- obstinate,
- opinionated,
- peevish,
- pertinacious,
- pigheaded,
- rigid,
- self-willed,
- stubborn,
- unbending,
- uncompromising,
- unrelenting,
- unyielding
- discourteous,
- disrespectful,
- ill-bred,
- ill-mannered,
- ill-natured,
- impertinent,
- impolite,
- impudent,
- inconsiderate,
- insolent,
- ornery,
- rude,
- uncivil,
- uncouth,
- ungracious,
- unmannerly
2
given to resisting control or discipline by others
- finally the parents sought professional counseling for the willful child
- froward,
- headstrong,
- incontrollable,
- intractable,
- recalcitrant,
- refractory,
- uncontrollable,
- ungovernable,
- unmanageable,
- unruly,
- untoward,
- wayward
- bullheaded,
- contrary,
- difficult,
- hardheaded,
- incorrigible,
- intransigent,
- mulish,
- obdurate,
- obstinate,
- opinionated,
- perverse,
- pigheaded,
- self-willed,
- stiff,
- stiff-necked,
- stubborn
3
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
- arrogant,
- commanding,
- demanding,
- dominant,
- domineering,
- haughty,
- imperative,
- lordly,
- masterful,
- overbearing,
- presumptuous
- balanced,
- disinterested,
- dispassionate,
- equal,
- equitable,
- evenhanded,
- fair,
- impartial,
- just,
- nonpartisan,
- objective
4
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing
- a willful attempt to cheat her siblings out of their rightful inheritance
- conscious,
- deliberate,
- intended,
- intentional,
- knowing,
- purposeful,
- purposive,
- set,
- voluntary,
- willed,
- witting
5
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
- adamant,
- adamantine,
- bullheaded,
- dogged,
- hard,
- hard-nosed,
- hardened,
- hardheaded,
- headstrong,
- immovable,
- implacable,
- inconvincible,
- inflexible,
- intransigent,
- mulish,
- obdurate,
- obstinate,
- opinionated,
- ossified,
- pat,
- pertinacious,
- perverse,
- pigheaded,
- self-opinionated,
- self-willed,
- stiff-necked,
- stubborn,
- unbending,
- uncompromising,
- unrelenting,
- unyielding
- determined,
- hell-bent,
- inexorable,
- persistent,
- relentless,
- resolved,
- set,
- single-minded,
- steadfast,
- stouthearted,
- tenacious,
- unflinching
- contumacious,
- disobedient,
- froward,
- insubordinate,
- intractable,
- recalcitrant,
- refractory,
- uncooperative,
- ungovernable,
- unmanageable,
- unruly
Frequently Asked Questions About willful
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
Share willful
Time Traveler for willful
The first known use of willful was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century