willful
18
5.5
- adjective
- /ˈwɪl.fəl/
- US
- Well, the child was defiant and willful.
- willful ignorance
- willful blindness
- willful behavior
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Watch on YouTubeThere's almost a a a willful acceptance of self sacrifice.
- There's almost a a a willful acceptance of self sacrifice.
- I'm being wilful in wanting to talk about Thoreau.
- People are notoriously stubborn and fickle and wilful.
- What are themes that are universal that could even maybe maybe penetrate that willful blindness and make people see the people that I write about as human.
- It was also just very a very willful independent thinker who didn't fit into a traditional educational environment.
- And there's probably some some willful blindness by a family member to the harsh realities, but somehow it may have penetrated even that.
- If nothing else, we did a good job the the the willful insouciance, the willful ignoring of that fact says something about us ignoring it.
Examples
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You're a stubborn and willful man.
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Finally, you're acting like a willful spoiled child, which is just what Carlos was.
Fiction book (1997) -
You are too willful to be taught.
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I finally met someone, someone as strong and willful as my father, someone who wanted me.
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But I was always a willful girl and followed my heart and spoke my mind.
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I think you should change that willful attitude of yours.
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"Now, I admit that she is a willful girl," said he (which did surprise me somewhat).
Fiction book (2001) -
But she was beautiful, charmingly willful, and adept at landing on her feet.
Fiction book (1999) -
He's a willful, opinionated man with a contempt for discipline, either moral or military.
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The willful child refused to listen to the teacher's instructions.
Synonyms
30
4.3
A person who decides to do something and does not change their mind
19
4.1
Someone who wants to do things their own way and refuses advice
11
8.1
Not willing to follow rules or accept control
1
7.3
A person who insists on doing what they want and often disobeys others
1
9.9
A person who often refuses to obey and is difficult to manage
1
9.9
Being stubborn and refusing to obey people in charge, for example a court
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
1
7.9
Failing on purpose to look after someone or something you must care for
How Stubborn
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Willful comes from will meaning 'desire' or 'intention' and the ending -ful meaning 'full of'. So a willful person is 'full of their own will'. They act on purpose and can be stubborn or refuse to follow rules.