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 Word Forms

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

It’s a tip of the hat to willful blindness, lack of critical thought and historical illiteracy.

From Salon

If it went to trial, the damages could have reached up to $150,000 per case of willful copyright infringement and could have cost the startup billions.

From Los Angeles Times

He was convicted of willful cruelty to a child and was on probation in that case when he was arrested last week.

From Los Angeles Times

For far too long, the United States has treated the Muslim Brotherhood with a dangerous combination of naiveté and willful blindness.

From Los Angeles Times

He is more than willing to tolerate willful acts of destruction and violence from his own supporters.

From Salon

Related Words

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