willful
3 synonyms and 7 antonyms for willful, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Deliberate and intentional, especially when doing 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
Deliberate and intentional, especially when doing something wrong or harmful.
“The judge called it willful destruction of property.”
Opposites
2. adj
Stubbornly determined to do things one's own way, often ignoring advice.
“Their willful teenager refused to listen to any warnings.”
Opposites
How to use willful
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
willful blindness
willful misconduct
willful child
Frequently asked questions
What does “willful” mean?
The word “willful” means deliberate and intentional, especially when doing something wrong or harmful. In plain terms, on purpose and stubborn — either 'done deliberately' (willful damage) or 'headstrong' (a willful child).
How do you use “willful” in a sentence?
Here is “willful” used in a sentence: “The judge called it willful destruction of property.”
What part of speech is “willful”?
“Willful” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “willful” have?
“Willful” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deliberate and intentional, especially when doing something wrong or harmful.
