as in willfulness
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
a schoolboy with a streak of self-will and rebellion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of self-will
This requires yielding – surrendering self-will, fear, and human outlining – to the pure activity of Christ within consciousness.
—
Larissa Snorek,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 Dec. 2025
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
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
Larissa Snorek,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 Dec. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-will
Noun
-
Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.
-
Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.
Noun
-
Archie’s stubbornness is a reflex to his worldview being attacked without first acknowledging his experience.
-
There was also Tortorella’s stubbornness in sticking with goalie Carter Hart, who set the wrong type of records in the Stanley Cup Final.
Noun
-
Starmer’s realism—or obstinacy, depending on your point of view—had seen off an immediate challenge.
-
The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.
Noun
-
Scientists say that difference in scale and persistence means history does not guarantee a repeat outcome, even as El Niño is expected to strengthen through the fall and add another layer of ocean warming.
-
But that persistence and learning became the foundation of my organization.
Noun
-
The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.
-
The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.
Noun
-
Speaking earlier on Sunday, Putin used a speech to the ruling United Russia party congress to reinforce his resolve to achieve the country's military objectives and project Russia's strength.
-
Spoelstra consistently has praised the resolve of Smith, who went undrafted out of Missouri in 2021.
Noun
-
Perhaps the greatest testament to Morocco’s obduracy came late in normal time, when Rodri — a central midfielder being deployed as a central defender — strode forward and shot, more in hope than in expectation, from 35 yards.
-
But a year later, more than two dozen of them remain stuck in Afghanistan, stalled by bureaucratic wrangling, the vagaries of international diplomacy and the obduracy of the Taliban government.
Noun
-
Fatigue with the stagnation inherent in contemporary democratic institutions is among the key factors that make the promise to break through intransigence by autocratic leaders attractive to a plurality of voters.
-
Instead, the courts are dealing with intransigence from the city.
Cite this Entry
“Self-will.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-will. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
