willfully

American  

[wil-fuh-lee] / ˈwɪl fə li /

Or wilfully

adverb

1. deliberately or intentionally; on purpose.

   Any seller who knowingly or willfully certifies false statements is subject to fine and imprisonment.

2. in an unreasonably stubborn or headstrong way.

   The student disrupted school activities and willfully defied the authority of teachers, administrators, and other school employees.

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Other Word Forms

• half-wilfully
  adverb
• half-willfully
  adverb
• unwilfully
  adverb
• unwillfully
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of willfully

First recorded before 1000; equivalent to willful ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

The provision allows for damages of up to $500 per violation, or $1,500 per violation if a court finds that a company acted willfully or knowingly.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Throughout, he seems almost willfully incurious about why people hunt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

But a source told the BBC: "To argue publicly that there was just one complaint is willfully misleading. They were presented to London in one dossier, but there were multiple complaints."

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

The government basically contends that willfully turning a blind eye to something you know is going on is tantamount to not knowing.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

She willfully ignores the fact that a soda can is nothing against a grizzly.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Related Words

• consciously
• knowingly
• pointedly
• purposely
• studiously
• voluntarily