willful ignorance
4
8.6
- noun
- /ˈwɪl.fəl ˈɪɡ.nər.əns/
- US
:
ignorancia deliberada
- Many people exhibit willful ignorance by choosing to ignore climate change data that contradicts their beliefs.
So they're just more than happy to whether it's willful ignorance or whether it's sort of this this obvious bias.
- So they're just more than happy to whether it's willful ignorance or whether it's sort of this this obvious bias.
Examples
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And thus you can't debate rationally with them because their positions are based on willful ignorance and hatred.
Blog text (34) -
That's only the start of his willful ignorance, but it's enough for now.
Blog text (10) -
In other words, this willful ignorance occurred for reasons specific to the historical moment.
Academic text (1995) -
Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps willful ignorance is not constructive?
Blog text (18) -
I wonder if he will condemn me for my willful ignorance of the English language?
Blog text (29) -
We are complicit to the extent that we maintain a willful ignorance of the reality of our situation.
Blog text (18) -
Under these circumstances, the historical profession's current willful ignorance of their activities is simply bizarre.
Academic text (1997) -
The active and willful ignorance that Mr. Broun displays is all too common these days.
Blog text (5) -
O'Reilly's comments don't just suggest a willful ignorance of basic science; they also imply a very real contempt for actual study.
Academic text (2011) -
I don't; it's willful ignorance and actively participating in a scam being perpetrated on oneself.
Blog text (17)
Synonyms
A deliberate choice to ignore a problem or warning
Antonyms
How Deliberate
- US
4
8.6
61
2.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'deliberate decision to ignore information' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'willful' (deliberately stubborn or intentional) with 'ignorance' (lack of knowledge). This adjective+noun composition follows a regular, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's sense.
Etymology
The phrase willful ignorance paints a clear picture: someone closing their eyes or turning away on purpose. Willful means 'on purpose' and ignorance means 'not knowing', so the phrase describes choosing not to learn or see facts.