Meaning & use

willful

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

Stubbornly determined to act according to one's own wishes, or done deliberately despite knowing the consequences.

See it in a sentence

The willful toddler refused to put on his shoes no matter what his parents said.

The court found the company guilty of willful violation of safety regulations.

A note on using this word

Spelled 'wilful' in British English; in legal contexts it specifically means intentional rather than accidental.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

compliantdocile

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