as in intentionally
with full awareness of what one is doing
willfully chose to risk pneumonia by jumping into a freezing lake on a dare
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of willfully
Tammy Machado is suspected of mortgage fraud and two counts of willfully making a false return under penalty of perjury.
—
Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
His collaborators remained unaware — or kept willfully oblivious — about the allegations.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026
The judge also found that Madigan lied repeatedly and willfully when testifying in his own defense during the trial.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
There are people who find dogs gross — the health risk posed by dogs in restaurants is low but not zero — and people whose grievance isn’t with the dogs per se but with the owners who willfully ignore the ways their furry beasts impose upon the world.
—Rachel Sugar, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026
Cruz and Ramirez each previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to willfully infringe a copyright, court records show.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
According to the suit, Nike’s actions show that the brand intentionally, willfully, recklessly and/or negligently failed to take reasonable and adequate measures to protect consumer data.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
Under her tenure, the Department has lost centuries of professional experience, willfully violated federal law and judicial orders alike, while at the same time, hiding millions of documents linked to the Epstein files in a massive cover-up.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Overtopping its banks in flood, willfully changing its course, meandering without any regard for imaginary lines written across terrain, water presents a serious problem to those who police those imaginary lines.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 30 Mar. 2026
Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
His collaborators remained unaware — or kept willfully oblivious — about the allegations.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026
The judge also found that Madigan lied repeatedly and willfully when testifying in his own defense during the trial.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
There are people who find dogs gross — the health risk posed by dogs in restaurants is low but not zero — and people whose grievance isn’t with the dogs per se but with the owners who willfully ignore the ways their furry beasts impose upon the world.
—Rachel Sugar, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026
Cruz and Ramirez each previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to willfully infringe a copyright, court records show.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
According to the suit, Nike’s actions show that the brand intentionally, willfully, recklessly and/or negligently failed to take reasonable and adequate measures to protect consumer data.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
Under her tenure, the Department has lost centuries of professional experience, willfully violated federal law and judicial orders alike, while at the same time, hiding millions of documents linked to the Epstein files in a massive cover-up.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Overtopping its banks in flood, willfully changing its course, meandering without any regard for imaginary lines written across terrain, water presents a serious problem to those who police those imaginary lines.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willfully
Adverb
-
Many of the same tools and principles that make content accessible also boost visibility—when they’re used intentionally.—
Rochelle Ratkaj,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
-
First Citizens intentionally delayed the integration of Silicon Valley Bank because, in 2023, deposit losses at Silicon Valley Bank lingered, and First Citizens wanted to focus on stabilizing that.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
An ocean away, a sandy trail in the ponderosa forests of northern Arizona demands treading just as deliberately when walkers reach a line of tree stumps arranged as stepping stones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
But some movies, either deliberately or inadvertently, manage to offer glimpses into the future, either through visions of technological advances or predicted social and political trends.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Willfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willfully. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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