willful

adjective

will·​ful ˈwil-fəl How to pronounce willful (audio)
variants or wilful
1
: obstinately and often perversely self-willed
a stubborn and willful child
2
: done deliberately : intentional
willful disobedience
willfully adverb
willfulness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for willful

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control.

unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

ungovernable rage

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Examples of willful in a Sentence

a stubborn and willful child He has shown a willful disregard for other people's feelings.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The willful reluctance of Western policymakers to recognize the importance of cognitive warfare carries the risk of irreversible losses in power and influence worldwide, the key factors that determine strategic outcomes in global competition. Michael Miklaucic, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025 The benefit of that confusion, if there can be any, is that the penalty regime in the Corporate Transparency Act itself only applies to willful behavior. Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 Luckily, her father steered her away from such a willful error. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025 In addition to the federal offense, the passenger was charged with battery, willful obstruction of law enforcement officers and criminal damage to property, inmate records show. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for willful

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of willful was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willful. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

willful

adjective
will·​ful
variants or wilful
1
: stubbornly determined to have one's own way
a willful child
2
: done deliberately : intentional
willful obedience
willfully adverb
willfulness noun

Legal Definition

willful

adjective
will·​ful
variants or wilful
: not accidental : done deliberately or knowingly and often in conscious violation or disregard of the law, duty, or the rights of others
willful injury
willfully adverb
willfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on willful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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