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
Likewise, Elon Musk, one of the world's most effective transmitters of AGI hype, announced safety assurances that cleverly imply a willful or dangerous AI.
—
Eric Siegel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Now the 20-year-old mother has been charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and two felony counts of willful cruelty to a child, according to court records.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
The Bakersfield woman was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of willful cruelty to a child, according to online court records.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 9 July 2025
Maya Hernandez was charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of willful cruelty to a child in the death on June 29 of the 1-year-old boy and the hospitalization of a 2-year-old who survived.
—Cristian Santana, NBC news, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for willful
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Eric Siegel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Now the 20-year-old mother has been charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and two felony counts of willful cruelty to a child, according to court records.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
The Bakersfield woman was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of willful cruelty to a child, according to online court records.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 9 July 2025
Maya Hernandez was charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of willful cruelty to a child in the death on June 29 of the 1-year-old boy and the hospitalization of a 2-year-old who survived.
—Cristian Santana, NBC news, 9 July 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 23 Jul. 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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