willful

American  

[wil-fuhl] / ˈwɪl fəl /

Or wilful

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

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willful British  

/ ˈwɪlfʊl /

adjective

1. the US spelling of wilful

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• half-willful adjective
• half-willfulness noun
• unwillful adjective
• unwillfulness noun
• willfully adverb
• willfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of willful

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

Example Sentences

Andrew Ross Sorkin’s “1929” recounts how failures in political leadership—a blend of willful ignorance and shortsighted greed—can sow economic chaos.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, noncitizens suspected of being in the country illegally could face other criminal charges such as unauthorized entry into a military property and willful violation of a security regulation.

From Los Angeles Times

We come to realize that our rhythm is dictated by the materials themselves, by what they will respond to rather than by our willful demands.

From The Wall Street Journal

James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling’s “broken windows” theory posited that crime is more than a willful act—it’s the product of a cultural atmosphere.

From The Wall Street Journal

After a certain point, a willful, proud ignorance masquerading as superior wisdom becomes a social menace and a stigma of poor citizenship.

From Salon

Related Words

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