variants
or wilful
1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
a particularly willful horse that took weeks to break to saddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uncontrollable
given to resisting control or discipline by others
finally the parents sought professional counseling for the willful child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrogant
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity
a willful disregard for the rights of others
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing
a willful attempt to cheat her siblings out of their rightful inheritance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
the kind of willful person who can never bring himself to admit that he made a mistake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of willful
Harry Harris, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
The second is either a massive misjudgment or another example of willful deception.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025
Woodland police detectives on Tuesday arrested Christian Jacobo, 22, on suspicion of murder and willful cruelty toward a child causing death, police officials said in a Friday news release.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2025
But this season, showrunner Mike White pinpoints the willful decadence of the Western world, primarily through Yankees: the husband, wife, and 2.5 children of the Ratliff family, three freewheeling feminist matrons, plus a shady white bachelor and a single black mother.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
Adjective
Court records also show Mabry, of Oakland, has two prior felony convictions: second-degree robbery in February 2013 and evading an officer with willful disregard for public safety in June 2022.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
The second is either a massive misjudgment or another example of willful deception.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025
Woodland police detectives on Tuesday arrested Christian Jacobo, 22, on suspicion of murder and willful cruelty toward a child causing death, police officials said in a Friday news release.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2025
But this season, showrunner Mike White pinpoints the willful decadence of the Western world, primarily through Yankees: the husband, wife, and 2.5 children of the Ratliff family, three freewheeling feminist matrons, plus a shady white bachelor and a single black mother.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful
Adjective
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Still, Adams failed to outright ask the most important questions: Were Canadians ever willing to join the rebellious Thirteen Colonies?—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
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Libra: Marge Simpson from The Simpsons Only a Libra mother could calmly and miraculously put up with the shenanigans that her three rebellious children cause.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Daily use by adolescents and adults can result in another unpleasant side effect: uncontrollable vomiting, according to a 2021 study.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
5 May 2025
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The phenomenon happens after a person repeatedly experiences negative, uncontrollable events.—
Kim Key,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The targets of Trump’s economic aggression will accept greater hardship to preserve their dignity than American voters will for the privilege of acting like arrogant menaces.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
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This feud carries on today, with Hogan having called out Hart for being too arrogant.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Managers can help by normalizing those reactions and creating deliberate space for them.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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In the careful selection of a pocket square, in the perfect dimple of a tie knot, in the deliberate shine of oxfords, these women continue a tradition of using style as both survival strategy and self-announcing act.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Unclog a Drain Learning to unclog a stubborn toilet or slow-draining sink can save homeowners a lot of money and trouble.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2025
Noun
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After leading some of his fellow players in an uprising against the games, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) sees his rebellion instantly squashed.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who is waiting for the weekend to join the rebellion.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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But beneath Pakistan’s drumbeat of defiant declarations as tensions erupt with India, a weary Pakistani public sees war as the last thing the country needs.—
Salman Masood,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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The April data marks a setback for Beijing, as top leaders strive to maintain a defiant and confident posture amid Trump’s trade war.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Sandwich shops tend to be a highly opinionated subject.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Apr. 2025
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Fan reactions in the comments were as opinionated as they were divided.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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