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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 willfully
Joshua Booth, 51, was charged with one count of willfully or maliciously torture, maim or mutilate an animal kept for companionship or pleasure causing death, a category B felony under Nevada law, according to the Clark County District Attorney's Office.
—
James Powel, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The jury was deadlocked on the special finding that the crime was done willfully, deliberately and with premeditation, the district attorney's office confirmed to PEOPLE.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
At first, this may sound like a willfully perverse way to market a useless product.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 11 May 2026
The jury ruled that Meta willfully violated New Mexico’s unfair practices act and owed $375 million.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 May 2026
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
James Powel, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The jury was deadlocked on the special finding that the crime was done willfully, deliberately and with premeditation, the district attorney's office confirmed to PEOPLE.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
At first, this may sound like a willfully perverse way to market a useless product.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 11 May 2026
The jury ruled that Meta willfully violated New Mexico’s unfair practices act and owed $375 million.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willfully
Adverb
-
Both sides accuse the other of intentionally attacking civilian targets.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
For Nanos, much of the public criticism overlooks the realities of how complex criminal investigations unfold, especially when detectives are intentionally withholding information to protect the integrity of the case.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Adverb
-
Jackson called the allegations knowingly false and deliberately timed to damage him among conservative voters as polling showed the race tightening.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
China, by contrast, is doing it deliberately—and at scale.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Willfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willfully. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
