Meaning & use

strong-willed

adjective·Everyday

Having a firm, determined character and a strong desire to do things one's own way.

See it in a sentence

Their strong-willed toddler refused to nap unless it was entirely her own idea.

He was strong-willed enough to keep training even after the coaches doubted him.

A note on using this word

Strong-willed can sound admiring, like determined, or mildly critical, like stubborn, depending on context and tone.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

compliantyielding

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