variants
or wilful
1
: obstinately and often perversely self-willed
a stubborn and willful child
2
: done deliberately : intentional
willful disobedience
willfulness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of willful in a Sentence
a stubborn and willful child
He has shown a willful disregard for other people's feelings.
Recent Examples on the Web
The man is being held in lieu of $480,000 bail at Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of numerous charges, including assault with a firearm, shooting into an inhabited dwelling or vehicle, shooting into an uninhabited dwelling or vehicle, willful discharge of a firearm and other crimes.
—
Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Last week, the state had asked Kendrick to plead guilty to conspiracy to violate Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and willful participation in street gang activity.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
As such, this cohort feels that white supremacy can be a confusing emphasis if not willful misdirection.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
The judge stated that the lawsuit could continue on one count, that Martinez’s claimed willful, wanton and reckless misconduct caused Nixon’s death.
—Daniel Tepfer, Connecticut Post, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for willful 
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Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Last week, the state had asked Kendrick to plead guilty to conspiracy to violate Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and willful participation in street gang activity.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
As such, this cohort feels that white supremacy can be a confusing emphasis if not willful misdirection.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
The judge stated that the lawsuit could continue on one count, that Martinez’s claimed willful, wanton and reckless misconduct caused Nixon’s death.
—Daniel Tepfer, Connecticut Post, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for willful
Dictionary Entries Near willful
Cite this Entry
“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willful. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
willful
adjective
will·ful
variants
or wilful
1
: stubbornly determined to have one's own way
a willful child
2
: done deliberately : intentional
willful obedience
willfulness
noun
Legal Definition
willful
adjective
will·ful
variants
or wilful
: not accidental : done deliberately or knowingly and often in conscious violation or disregard of the law, duty, or the rights of others
willful injury
willfully
adverb
willfulness
noun
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