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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of willfully
In his final February 2024 report, Hur found that Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency, including reading classified information aloud to Zwonitzer and revealing sensitive military and foreign policy in Afghanistan.
—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
19 June 2026
During courtroom breaks, the long line for the women’s room was a stark visual of the way this flood has ripped apart accusers and defenders of Camp Mystic—grieving mothers in lavender avoiding eye contact with willfully cheerful women in a green that now felt cloying, bordering on cruel.
—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
To argue for a union was to willfully overlook the irreconcilable divisions between the states—slavery being the most obvious gulf.
—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
The provision allows for damages of up to $500 per violation, or $1,500 per violation if a court finds that a company acted willfully or knowingly.
—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
19 June 2026
During courtroom breaks, the long line for the women’s room was a stark visual of the way this flood has ripped apart accusers and defenders of Camp Mystic—grieving mothers in lavender avoiding eye contact with willfully cheerful women in a green that now felt cloying, bordering on cruel.
—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
To argue for a union was to willfully overlook the irreconcilable divisions between the states—slavery being the most obvious gulf.
—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
The provision allows for damages of up to $500 per violation, or $1,500 per violation if a court finds that a company acted willfully or knowingly.
—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willfully
Adverb
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Aurora Fire Rescue says they are being investigated as intentionally set fires.
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In a 2024 podcast interview, Platner reportedly claimed that Kyle intentionally killed Iraqi civilians to inflate his sniper kill counts.
Adverb
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Boots were made to look deliberately disheveled, with tiny ladybirds across them.
-
Israeli forces continue to commit genocide against Palestinians by deliberately targeting children in the Gaza Strip, an independent United Nations Commission of Inquiry has found.
Cite this Entry
“Willfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willfully. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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