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Definitions

willful

[wil-fuhl] / ˈwɪl fəl /
ADJECTIVE
stubborn, obstinate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
headstrong persistent perverse
WEAK
adamant bullheaded contumacious determined dogged fractious froward inflexible intractable intransigent mulish obdurate pertinacious pigheaded refractory resolved self-willed stiff-necked uncompromising unyielding
Antonyms
WEAK
flexible involuntary unwilling willing yielding
ADJECTIVE
voluntary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conscious deliberate intentional premeditated purposeful willed
WEAK
contemplated designed intended planned studied unforced volitional willing witting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accidental unintentional unplanned
WEAK
flexible involuntary unwilling willing yielding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The willful failure to file a tax return is a misdemeanor.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Video footage of his killing taken from multiple angles shows this to be a willful lie.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026

Since when did that stop a willful kid?

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026

Industry executives were trusting themselves to the point of willful ignorance.

From Slate • Jan. 14, 2026

Our family never went to church, and I worried that people who did were infallible and we were wrong in our willful resistance to religious guidance.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.