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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Recent Examples of willfully
Some people are happy to roam the world as old tourists, pure consumers who remain willfully blind to the impacts of their wanderings.
—
CBS News, 1 May 2026
The judge also found that Madigan lied repeatedly and willfully when testifying in his own defense during the trial.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
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
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
CBS News, 1 May 2026
The judge also found that Madigan lied repeatedly and willfully when testifying in his own defense during the trial.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willfully
Adverb
-
Colorado is the only state in the country where someone who kills due to extreme recklessness receives the same sentence — life without parole — as someone who kills intentionally and after deliberation.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Both sides accuse the other of intentionally attacking civilian targets.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
In keeping with the ultra-luxury playbook, the property is now being held off the market deliberately.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
5 May 2026
-
And in 2023, Wilson deliberately took a below-market extension to give the front office flexibility.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Willfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willfully. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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