wilful
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for wilful, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Done deliberately and on purpose, especially something wrong or harmful.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Done deliberately and on purpose, especially something wrong or harmful.
“The judge described the damage as wilful destruction of property.”
2. adj
Stubbornly determined to do things one's own way.
“Their wilful daughter refused to follow any of the rules.”
Opposites
How to use wilful
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
wilful neglect
wilful child
wilful blindness
Etymology
From Middle English wilful, formed from "will" plus the "-ful" suffix, meaning "full of one's own will."
Full origin of wilful →Frequently asked questions
What does “wilful” mean?
The word “wilful” means done deliberately and on purpose, especially something wrong or harmful. In plain terms, intentional (often about wrongdoing), or stubbornly set on having one's own way.
How do you pronounce “wilful”?
“Wilful” is pronounced WIHL-fuul (/ˈwɪlfʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wilful” in a sentence?
Here is “wilful” used in a sentence: “The judge described the damage as wilful destruction of property.”
What part of speech is “wilful”?
“Wilful” is an adjective.
Where does the word “wilful” come from?
The word “wilful” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wilful, formed from "will" plus the "-ful" suffix, meaning "full of one's own will.".
How many meanings does “wilful” have?
“Wilful” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: done deliberately and on purpose, especially something wrong or harmful.
