willful

or wil·ful

[ wil-fuhl ]

adjective

1. deliberate, voluntary, or intentional:

   The coroner ruled the death willful murder.

   Synonyms: volitional;

2. unreasonably stubborn or headstrong; self-willed.

   Synonyms: adamant, obdurate, inflexible, pigheaded, refractory, contrary, intransigent

   Antonyms: tractable, obedient

willful

/ ˈwɪlfʊl /

adjective

1. the US spelling of wilful

Other Words From

• will·ful·ly adverb
• will·ful·ness noun
• half-will·ful adjective
• half-will·ful·ness noun
• un·will·ful adjective
• un·will·ful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of willful¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; Old English wilful “willing”; will ², -ful

Synonym Study

Willful, headstrong, perverse, wayward refer to one who stubbornly insists upon doing as they please. Willful suggests a stubborn persistence in doing what one wishes, especially in opposition to those whose wishes or commands ought to be respected or obeyed: that willful child who disregarded his parents' advice. One who is headstrong is often foolishly, and sometimes violently, self-willed: reckless and headstrong youths. The perverse person is unreasonably or obstinately intractable or contrary, often with the express intention of being disagreeable: perverse out of sheer spite. Wayward in this sense has the connotation of rash wrongheadedness that gets one into trouble: a reform school for wayward teens.

Example Sentences

Television exploits our memory gaps, willful or unintended, by churning out period action dramas centered on history’s giant conflicts, most related to World War II. Unlike that endlessly commodified conflict, these chapters in Ireland’s history don’t turn up in most history teaching.

From Salon

Journalist Lindsay Beyerstein agreed, arguing that ignorance is willful, chosen by people who enjoy the permission not to be troubled by facts.

From Salon

There’s no question that the forthcoming return of Donald Trump and his willful disregard for science, truth, and basic empathy is a massive step backward in the struggle toward a world built on justice, equity, and a stable climate.

From Slate

Watching "Here" is akin to watching a willful erasure of how the past has been weaponized over the last several years.

From Salon

Right now, watching "Here" is akin to watching a willful erasure of how the past has been weaponized over the last several years.

From Salon

Related Words

• conscious
• deliberate
• intentional
• premeditated
• purposeful
• willed