English Dictionary
Definition of “wilful”
wilful or US willful(ˈwɪlfʊl
)
Definitions
adjective
- intent on having one's own way; headstrong or obstinate
- intentional ⇒
wilful murder
Alternative Forms
ˈwilfully ˈwillfully adverb ˈwilfulness ˈwillfulness noun
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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obstinate,
dogged,
determined,
persistent,
adamant,
stubborn,
perverse,
uncompromising,
intractable,
inflexible,
unyielding,
intransigent,
headstrong,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
mulish,
froward,
Usage examples
The urge to speak to this wilful boy before he died was greater than his fear of being dismissed as a petitioner.
Zindell, David, The Broken God (1993)Yet even now there is a wilful refusal on the part of the coalition's critics to face up to reality.
Spiked (2004)The latest was Jodi "Venomous" Jones, who last week pleaded guilty to wilful damage when hacking internet provider Web Internet.
New Zealand Herald (2003)According to Stuart, however, the days of wilful awkwardness are over.
Glasgow Herald (2001)One, a Glasgow Fenian named Michael Barrett, was convicted of wilful murder.
Christy Campbell, FENIAN FIRE: The British Government Plot to Assassinate Queen Victoria (2002)
