Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Synonym Chooser
How does the adjectivewillful differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms ofwillful areheadstrong,intractable,recalcitrant,refractory,ungovernable, andunruly. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control,"willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.
When canheadstrong be used instead ofwillful?
Although the wordsheadstrong andwillful have much in common,headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.
When wouldintractable be a good substitute forwillful?
The wordsintractable andwillful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically,intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.
When isrecalcitrant a more appropriate choice thanwillful?
While in some cases nearly identical towillful,recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.
Where wouldrefractory be a reasonable alternative towillful?
While the synonymsrefractory andwillful are close in meaning,refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.
When is it sensible to useungovernable instead ofwillful?
The synonymsungovernable andwillful are sometimes interchangeable, butungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.
When mightunruly be a better fit thanwillful?
In some situations, the wordsunruly andwillful are roughly equivalent. However,unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.
Example Sentences
Bret Stephens,The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025The distinction betweenwillfuland non-willful noncompliance is crucial because willful violations carry substantially higher penalties and potential criminal liability.—Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d.,Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025Teixeira pleaded guilty last March to six counts ofwillfulretention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act, following his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years.—Danielle Wallace,Fox News, 10 Mar. 2025She was charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton andwillfuldisregard for the safety of persons and property.—Demicia Inman,VIBE.com, 28 Feb. 2025See All Example Sentences forwillful- And if his readership remained informed on his doings, the prince and his supporters didn’t succeed in silencing him and the rest of therebelliousfaction.— Emily Zarevich,JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025
- Wearing cowboy boots with shorts is not only a bold stylistic choice but also a practical way to dress for warm weather without giving up the rustic andrebellioustouch that the boots bring.— René Chávez Esparza,Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025
- Common Mental Health Conditions in Men Depression Depression causes disruptive,uncontrollablefeelings of sadness and emptiness.— Mark Gurarie,Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2025
- Slippery Slope Thinking Fuels A Fear Of Change People with strong slippery slope beliefs tend to assume that one small change will lead to inevitable,uncontrollablenegative consequences.— Mark Travers,Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
- In a world where deal flow is crucial, being labeled as anarrogantVC results in missing out on prime opportunities.— David Nour,Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
- Thearrogantanti-union stance did not start with the current CEO; even the legendary Studs Terkel was slapped down by WFMT management for his earlier support of an effort to unionize in 1990.— Chicago Tribune,Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
- Many people have perceived his walking off set and the Instagram story as adeliberatesnub.— John W. Dean,MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
- Bedeliberateabout your communications with the federal agency and offer any questions and rebuttals in writing.— Bruce Y. Lee,Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
- Happy Birthday for Saturday, March 29, 2025: You are opinionated andstubborn.— Georgia Nicols,Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025
- Described by family as larger-than-life in personality and stature, the 6-foot-5-inch Wesley is remembered as a jovial, fiercelystubbornman with a quick wit and passion for advocacy.— Silas Morgan,The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
- Related article Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers makedefiantspeech after winning best documentary OscarFor Ballal, the assault – and Netanyahu’s moves – are even more of a reason to continue to fight for his community.— Kareem Khadder,CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
- Two months into his term, President Trump is growing moredefiant, creative and ruthless in his pursuit of a central campaign promise: exacting revenge on his political enemies.— Zachary Basu,Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
- Duffy is hilariously literate, anopinionatedfanboy ready to defend Nirvana against naysayers.— Claude Peck,Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
- Water signs may relate closely to wise andopinionatedOwl while Earth signs may relate to the reserved and — sometimes gloomy — Eeyore.— Athena Sobhan,People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
- What follows is a twisted examination of motherhood and thearbitraryexpectations of adulthood.— The New Yorker,New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
- This is less sound economic policymaking than thearbitrarydispersal of favors.— David B. McGarry,Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Willful.”Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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