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Some common synonyms of willful<\/em> are headstrong<\/em><\/a>, intractable<\/em><\/a>, recalcitrant<\/em><\/a>, refractory<\/em><\/a>, ungovernable<\/em><\/a>, and unruly<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"not submissive to government or control,\" willful<\/em> implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.<\/p>

\/\/ a willful<\/em> disregard for the rights of others<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'headstrong' be used instead of 'willful'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words headstrong<\/em><\/a> and willful<\/em> have much in common, headstrong<\/em> suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.<\/p>

\/\/ a headstrong<\/em> young cavalry officer<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'intractable' be a good substitute for 'willful'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words intractable<\/em><\/a> and willful<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intractable<\/em> suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.<\/p>

\/\/ intractable<\/em> opponents of the hazardous-waste dump<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'recalcitrant' a more appropriate choice than 'willful'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to willful<\/em>, recalcitrant<\/em><\/a> suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.<\/p>

\/\/ acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant<\/em> populace<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'refractory' be a reasonable alternative to 'willful'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms refractory<\/em><\/a> and willful<\/em> are close in meaning, refractory<\/em> stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.<\/p>

\/\/ special schools for refractory<\/em> children<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'ungovernable' instead of 'willful'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms ungovernable<\/em><\/a> and willful<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but ungovernable<\/em> implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.<\/p>

\/\/ ungovernable<\/em> rage<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'unruly' be a better fit than 'willful'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words unruly<\/em><\/a> and willful<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, unruly<\/em> implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.<\/p>

\/\/ unruly<\/em> children<\/p>" } } ] }

willful

adjective

ˈwil-fÉ™l How to pronounce willful (audio)
variants or wilful
Definition of willfulnext
1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control a particularly willful horse that took weeks to break to saddle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others finally the parents sought professional counseling for the willful child

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3
as in arbitrary
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity a willful disregard for the rights of others

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4
as in deliberate
made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing a willful attempt to cheat her siblings out of their rightful inheritance

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5
as in adamant
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion the kind of willful person who can never bring himself to admit that he made a mistake

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective willful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of willful are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, ungovernable, and unruly. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

When can headstrong be used instead of willful?

Although the words headstrong and willful have much in common, headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When would intractable be a good substitute for willful?

The words intractable and willful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When is recalcitrant a more appropriate choice than willful?

While in some cases nearly identical to willful, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

Where would refractory be a reasonable alternative to willful?

While the synonyms refractory and willful are close in meaning, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When is it sensible to use ungovernable instead of willful?

The synonyms ungovernable and willful are sometimes interchangeable, but ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

ungovernable rage

When might unruly be a better fit than willful?

In some situations, the words unruly and willful are roughly equivalent. However, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of willful This was two weeks of willful negligence and abuse. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026 Attorney David Lira, 65, Girardi’s son-in-law, pleaded guilty last year to a criminal contempt charge for his willful failure to abide by the settlement payment order. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 In any case, Caroline — who was a more compelling character when Jackie was still alive, subtly pushing against her family’s conventions — has now taken up Jackie’s torch as the guard of Kennedyisms, making sure his brother and his willful bride fall in line. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026 The willful Sun teams up with joyous Jupiter to energize your domestic zone and your intimidating 8th house. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for willful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willful
  1. rebellious
  2. stubborn
  3. arbitrary
  4. deliberate
  5. adamant
  6. rebel
  7. uncontrollable
  8. arrogant
Adjective
  • As the longtime partners wrestle with their dark pasts and present conspiracies, Chris’ newfound bond with a pair of rebellious students (Mariana di Girolamo and Ailín Salas) threatens to send everyone’s trip to the remote paradise sideways.
    — Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Thoughtful and easygoing offstage, Peaches’ seemingly rebellious onstage shenanigans are hardly a reaction to her upbringing.
    — Katherine Turman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Governments across the continent are struggling with stubborn insurgencies.
    — Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Because that is ultimately what The Secret Garden is about—the stubborn, almost unreasonable insistence of living things to grow toward the light.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • In a show where the judging is often accused of being arbitrary, the makeover is considered the worst offender.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The shifting explanations, the defense argues, suggest the decision may have been arbitrary.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Even so, the case is moving at a slow, deliberate pace that could stretch for months.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
  • But that’s clearly a deliberate choice, perhaps on the reasonable ground that there has been more than enough tabloidification of these two without a new opera adding grist.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of deliberate
Adjective
  • Both of them are adamant that this tragedy was avoidable, pointing to Irving Marsaw's long list of convictions that span more than 20 years.
    — Conor Wight, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Porzingis was adamant his health is now under control.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of adamant
Adjective
  • Petro, a leftist who was a member of a rebel group in his youth, has attempted to stage peace talks with Colombia’s remaining rebel groups under a strategy known as total peace.
    — Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The rebel group said that the attack killed three people, but the number couldn't be immediately confirmed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • These caps could eliminate the secret runway to uncontrollable superhuman capabilities while still allowing beneficial AI development.
    — J. Xavier Prochaska, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Other common side effects include nausea, flushing, headache, and abdominal cramping and uncontrollable shivering.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of uncontrollable
Adjective
  • Would the petulant, arrogant, all-knowing Donald still have started a war against Iran?
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Your partner acts arrogant or entitled.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of arrogant

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Cite this Entry

“Willful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willful. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of willful for Spanish Speakers

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