variants
or wilful
1
: obstinately and often perversely self-willed
a stubborn and willful child
2
: done deliberately : intentional
willful disobedience
willfulness
noun
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
Grading for equity amounts to willful and moralized deception, including self-deception.
—
The Editors, National Review, 29 May 2025
Like it or not, businesses and thought leaders operate in an information ecosystem where willful lies and concocted conspiracies are amplified by algorithms.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Hur, who was respectful of the aging president, declined to prosecute Joe Biden for his willful retention of classified documents found in Biden’s non-secure home garage.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
Plaintiffs also can seek punitive damages if malice, fraud, knowledge or willful avoidance can be proven.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
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The Editors, National Review, 29 May 2025
Like it or not, businesses and thought leaders operate in an information ecosystem where willful lies and concocted conspiracies are amplified by algorithms.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Hur, who was respectful of the aging president, declined to prosecute Joe Biden for his willful retention of classified documents found in Biden’s non-secure home garage.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
Plaintiffs also can seek punitive damages if malice, fraud, knowledge or willful avoidance can be proven.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
Cite this Entry
“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/willful. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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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