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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willfulness
Noun
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Some see hope in Trump’s return Jan. 19, 2025 Separately, law enforcement authorities are investigating whether Yoon and others committed rebellion, abuse of power and other crimes in connection with the martial law decree.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025 -
The four are made to watch a corporate propaganda video (voiced by Keanu Reeves), which depicts their season 1 rebellion in a positive light, a protest that improved the company for the better.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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For the second straight season, Mahomes has done so largely due to his persistence, problem-solving ability and willingness to adjust his playing style to any game’s specific circumstances.—
Nate Taylor,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
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The persistence of market failure and agency expertise narratives, despite political failures and bureaucratic ineptitude being the true obstacles.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr.,
Forbes,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Trump might even inadvertently save the Canadian liberals, who are on the precipice of getting blown out of the water in the upcoming federal election, by rallying Canadians around the flag in defiance of their unruly downstairs neighbors.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
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But over the last decade, the category has developed into a respectable safe haven for high-quality wines that exist in defiance of regional standards or regulations.—
Anna Lee C. Iijima,
Bon Appétit,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Yet, over time, Bashar Assad inherited his father’s obstinacy and brutality and increasingly relied on the security apparatus to maintain control, stifling dissent and curbing opposition.—
Sefa Secen / Made by History,
TIME,
17 Dec. 2024
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That is the popular girl’s cross to bear, and the desperate obstinacy that comes with this realization is one of Cody’s main themes.—
Rafaela Bassili,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Yes From an early age, we are taught that obedience is good, and disobedience is bad.—
Dr. Sunita Sah,
TIME,
4 Jan. 2025
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In the past six years, Ohio has issued close to 885,000 suspensions and expulsions for comments and misbehaviors tagged as disobedience or disruption.—
Meredith Kolodner,
USA TODAY,
1 Apr. 2024
Noun
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The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
2 May 2023
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Dan recalled of his daughter’s persistency.—
Eric Sondheimer Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Dec. 2020
Noun
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Many agencies’ missions are associated with liberal or progressive causes, and conservatives who favor small government or deregulation have historically expressed frustration about the intransigence or even existence of the federal bureaucracy.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
The New Yorker,
16 Jan. 2025
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That bonus pool is growing to almost $3million (£2.4m) from just over $1m. Add it all up and there is no shortage of intransigence and little room for optimism.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Related: ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them One possible reason for this obduracy is that noma begins as a dental disease, and dental diseases have long been underappreciated global health concerns.—
John Button,
STAT,
16 Dec. 2023
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Andreas blames the obduracy of U.S. politicians and bureaucrats for the persistence of the drug wars, despite their evident failure and their huge financial and human costs.—
Russell Crandall,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Apr. 2021
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Thesaurus Entries Near willfulness
Cite this Entry
“Willfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willfulness. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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