willful

adjective

ˈwil-fəl How to pronounce willful (audio)
variants or wilful
Definition of willfulnext
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

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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

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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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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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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective willful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of willful are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, ungovernable, and unruly. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

When can headstrong be used instead of willful?

Although the words headstrong and willful have much in common, headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When would intractable be a good substitute for willful?

The words intractable and willful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When is recalcitrant a more appropriate choice than willful?

While in some cases nearly identical to willful, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

Where would refractory be a reasonable alternative to willful?

While the synonyms refractory and willful are close in meaning, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When is it sensible to use ungovernable instead of willful?

The synonyms ungovernable and willful are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When might unruly be a better fit than willful?

In some situations, the words unruly and willful are roughly equivalent. However, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

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 willful The Bakersfield woman was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of willful cruelty to a child, according to online court records. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 9 July 2025 Maya Hernandez was charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of willful cruelty to a child in the death on June 29 of the 1-year-old boy and the hospitalization of a 2-year-old who survived. —Cristian Santana, NBC news, 9 July 2025 But the appeals court found that Cox was guilty of willful contributory infringement and ordered a new damages trial. —ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025 Court records show Rahman pleaded guilty Jan. 17 to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified national defense information. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for willful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful
  1. rebellious
  2. uncontrollable
  3. arrogant
  4. deliberate
  5. stubborn
  6. defiant
  7. opinionated
  8. arbitrary
Adjective
  • The chancellor is caught between febrile bond markets worried about government debt levels across advanced economies and rebellious Labour lawmakers who recently forced the government to pull back on reforms to welfare spending.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 22 July 2025
  • Once Audrey Hepburn was seen in a pair of the prototypical capri pants, everyone wanted to own them, and de Lennart’s hero product was later donned by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor: appreciated for its originally rebellious intentions and modern-woman appeal.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 July 2025
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • In addition to the intense, sometimes uncontrollable itching, hives can also burn, sting and swell.
    — Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 23 July 2025
  • The model can be hard to scale or standardize, particularly for agencies with diverse service offerings, and there’s the risk that comes with uncontrollable external factors hindering outcomes.
    — Jacquelyn LaMar Berney, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of uncontrollable
Adjective
  • In addition to Sandler, the 2025 film also sees the return of several familiar faces, including Julie Bowen as Happy’s love interest, Virginia Venit; Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, Happy’s arrogant nemesis; and Ben Stiller as Hal L., the orderly from Happy’s grandmother’s nursing home.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • Christopher McDonald plays Happy’s comically villainous, arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, maestro of the finger guns.
    — Skyler Trepel, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Choosing to slow decision-making processes and make deliberate moves can seem radical in a competitive business market, but this investment over time can result in significant changes with lasting effects.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • While clutter implies disorganization or neglect, the messy girl look is a deliberate embrace of imperfection that still feels cozy and intentional.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2025
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • Beneath its surface were deep, dark scars—grooves cut through the rock by old lava flows, now overgrown with stubborn green.
    — Tess Moormans, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2025
  • The fizzing reaction can help remove stubborn residues.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • On Monday, asked about the poll proposal at an unrelated event, Adams was defiant.
    — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 July 2025
  • Trump's defiant response in Butler, Penn., may have fueled his big Election Day gains among male voters.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Definition of defiant
Adjective
  • No one said the ’05 team wasn’t an opinionated bunch.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Rhea Perlman and Rita Wilson appear as Jess’ highly opinionated, codependent mother and grandmother.
    — Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
Definition of opinionated
Adjective
  • The Florida court contrived a weird and arbitrary compromise, granting new sentencing hearings only to death row prisoners whose sentences were considered final after 2002, when the U.S. court issued a decision that was a precursor to Hurst’s.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 July 2025
  • Ultimately, Bae acknowledges, these classifications are somewhat arbitrary.
    — Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2025
Definition of arbitrary

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Cite this Entry

“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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