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
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2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
finally the parents sought professional counseling for the willful child
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3
as in arbitrary
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 adamant
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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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of willful
The old and persistent kind of antisemitism—the ancient variety of deliberate and willful antisemitism—will probably be around millennia more if history is any judge.
—
Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Perhaps Rigola should have been more willful in his handling of the text, since his libretto unfolds more like a selection of highlights from the play than like a freestanding adaptation.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
But revenge and deadly violence tear down all the facades, confronting the survivors with the results of their willful complicity, studied ignorance and hubris.
—The Know, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025
Variations on the willful child appear throughout children’s literature, nearly always to instill adult authority.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful
Adjective
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Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was the law in the rebellious states.—
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This wretched regime is doomed to be overthrown by the risen populace and rebellious youth.—
Adjective
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These two ingredients mixed together creates a powerful mixture perfect for lifting stubborn stains off grout because of their high cleaning and brightening properties.—
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The vinegar cleaning method isn’t foolproof, and sometimes stubborn residue can remain on your microwave walls.—
Adjective
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The National Police has been repeatedly cited by national and international human rights organizations for excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions, and the mistreatment of protesters and civilians.—
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Critics say those distinctions are arbitrary and unfair, being based on outdated assumptions and bad science.—
Adjective
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Since the boycott, PEN has donated to Palestinian aid organizations, highlighted writers and journalists who have been targeted and killed by Israel, and released a report on the deliberate destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage.—
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Many of these cases were traced back to individuals who would not have passed a more deliberate vetting process.—
Adjective
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Stephen Miller made these comments on CNN and was adamant that this would happen.—
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Although the film would have been far easier to finance if the production took place in another country, Hadi was adamant about shooting in his homeland.—
Adjective
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Two men are targeted by the rebel army who overthrew the government of Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman.—
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He was denounced by rebel propagandists as a tyrant and remembered by Americans as a reactionary dolt.—
Adjective
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Leaders often blame uncontrollable factors—policies of previous administrations, hiring for a boom that fizzled unexpectedly, macroeconomic uncertainty, the rise of artificial intelligence—but all too often the real strategic issues go unaddressed.—
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The phenomenon of cavitation—the formation and collapse of tiny gas bubbles due to changes in pressure—was considered an undesirable and largely uncontrollable side effect.—
Adjective
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This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
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So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Cite this Entry
“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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