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 Senate rejected the article, accusing Mayorkas of willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law on a 51 to 48 vote.
—
Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Santos’ actions violated the city’s Rule and Regulations of the Civil Service Board’s rule regarding discourteous treatment of any member of the public, willful disobedience, and discrediting the city, the letter stated.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 17 Apr. 2024
He is charged with fourth-degree child abuse and willful failure to uphold the law as a public officer, both one-year misdemeanors.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 22 Mar. 2024
Daniel Garcia, 42, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of detonating an explosive device with intent to injure, four counts of possession of an explosive device and one count of evading an officer with willful disregard for people or property., according to San Francisco DA Brooke Jenkins.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
The reality star and entrepreneur is also facing charges of negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
In some circles, wearing a fur coat (real or faux) is seen as a sort of transgression—a willful disregard of animal cruelty.
—Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024
Last year, California banned all suspensions for willful defiance.
—Sarah Butrymowicz, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
O’Hara asked whether destroying the ballots would constitute willful destruction of evidence if Sherman went forward.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2024
Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Santos’ actions violated the city’s Rule and Regulations of the Civil Service Board’s rule regarding discourteous treatment of any member of the public, willful disobedience, and discrediting the city, the letter stated.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 17 Apr. 2024
He is charged with fourth-degree child abuse and willful failure to uphold the law as a public officer, both one-year misdemeanors.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 22 Mar. 2024
Daniel Garcia, 42, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of detonating an explosive device with intent to injure, four counts of possession of an explosive device and one count of evading an officer with willful disregard for people or property., according to San Francisco DA Brooke Jenkins.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
The reality star and entrepreneur is also facing charges of negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
In some circles, wearing a fur coat (real or faux) is seen as a sort of transgression—a willful disregard of animal cruelty.
—Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024
Last year, California banned all suspensions for willful defiance.
—Sarah Butrymowicz, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
O’Hara asked whether destroying the ballots would constitute willful destruction of evidence if Sherman went forward.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'willful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near willful
Cite this Entry
“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willful. Accessed 23 Apr. 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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