1
as in stubbornness
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
her unceasing willfulness eventually wore down her critics and opponents
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rebellion
refusal to obey
the trainer was able to correct our dog's willfulness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of willfulness
Either of these original conditions would compel us to curb our aspirations to self-making, self-saving, and self-liberation as harmful forms of willfulness.
—
Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willfulness
Noun
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These issues aren’t about stubbornness—they’re about confusion and fear of losing control.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
5 Nov. 2025
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The contrast between these quick results and the stubbornness of the Nopert holdouts made some mathematicians suspect that true Noperts do exist.—
Erica Klarreich,
Quanta Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While details of Gatwa’s character are not yet known, Erivo’s Jayne is described as a trailblazing fairy whose defiant streak sparks a rebellion.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
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From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The persistence of terrorism in Nigeria, whose northern states abut the West African Sahel region, has strategic implications for the country and beyond if the trend is not reversed and decisively crushed.—
Kingsley Moghalu,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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The study’s insights could help scientists model pollutant persistence and even engineer better cleanup materials inspired by these minerals.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Co-directed by Egyptian filmmaker Mai Saad and Gazan cinematographer Ahmed Al Danaf, the feature documentary stands as both testimony and act of defiance.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
11 Nov. 2025
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However, colors can also pull out negative emotions in people, such as defiance (red), coldness (blue), fear (yellow), and boredom (green).—
Daniel Fusch,
Ascend Agency,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For him, obstinacy was far worse than correction.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
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Most tragically, the Palestinians have been given abundant reason to believe that obstinacy and terrorism are far better tools than concession and diplomacy.—
Tom Rogan,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At times, Carol’s admirable rebelliousness seems to come at the cost of self-flagellating destruction, a badge of honor to be miserable.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
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The performance goes from fiery to ineffectual as DiCaprio’s character, Bob, loses his youthful rebelliousness in a haze of pot and resignation.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But also injuries and ailments at all the wrong times, as well as overt self-will at times.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2025
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So for those of us torn between watching the sun get blotted out and getting blotto keeping our attention on a particularly good rock show, this exercise in multi-tasking was a real contest of self-will.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2024
Noun
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Moja Rowa Colorful disobedience is how Moja Rowa cofounders Yelena Mojarova and Edward Benedikt Sittler characterize their creative spirit and brand ethos.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
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The ladies move closer to God through acts of disobedience, debauchery, and disgrace; by visiting seedy places and commingling with the disreputable.—
Nicole Flattery,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willfulness. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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