1
as in stubbornness
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion her unceasing willfulness eventually wore down her critics and opponents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rebellion
refusal to obey the trainer was able to correct our dog's willfulness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 willfulness Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations. —
David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026 Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition. —Brad Shoup, Pitchfork, 24 Jan. 2026 The orphan’s predicament is as much a matter of willfulness as of survival—inseparable, as in the works of Charles Dickens, from a dream of being somehow rescued by the idea of an adult world. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025 While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025 Christian Science doesn’t demand blind faith and willfulness but a willingness to surrender to this higher truth. —Matthew Schmidt, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Jan. 2025
David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026 Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition. —Brad Shoup, Pitchfork, 24 Jan. 2026 The orphan’s predicament is as much a matter of willfulness as of survival—inseparable, as in the works of Charles Dickens, from a dream of being somehow rescued by the idea of an adult world. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025 While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025 Christian Science doesn’t demand blind faith and willfulness but a willingness to surrender to this higher truth. —Matthew Schmidt, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willfulness
Noun
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Letter writer worries mom’s stubbornness will limit visits just as parents are aging.— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
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As for her training, the stubbornness of this dog mix hasn't been an issue.— Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Through the personal stories of activists and intense courtroom battles, host Brendan Patrick Hughes explores themes of faith, rebellion, and the complexities of confronting injustice, ultimately offering a compelling blueprint for modern activism.— Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
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Focus Features has set a Sept 11 release for the Paul Greengrass directed, Andrew Garfield starring The Uprising, which follows the untold true story of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Both represent persistence, innovation, and trusting our instincts.— Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
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Over time, the collection expanded—through donations, acquisitions, and O’Connor’s persistence.— Jimmy Jellinek, SPIN, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That hope is a powerful statement of defiance in the face of the realities of war and the broader sentiment in Israeli and Palestinian public opinion.— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
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However, an artist’s innate defiance reaps the best art.— Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
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The White House does not seem to have a workaround to Putin’s obstinacy, and Rubio told Hannity that all other parties seeking to end the conflict are hopeless.— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The pseudo-goth hair and costume choices speak to an inner rebelliousness that isn’t so much unleashed as forced loose by a system that values the appearance of a mythical impartiality over her humanity, leaving her with little recourse but to step outside the confines of the law.— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
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The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This requires yielding – surrendering self-will, fear, and human outlining – to the pure activity of Christ within consciousness.— Larissa Snorek, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2025
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But also injuries and ailments at all the wrong times, as well as overt self-will at times.— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Fernando Melo Flores, a 40-year-old Irvine resident, was charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography, one felony count of unauthorized computer access, and one misdemeanor count of willful disobedience of a court order.— Ryanne Mena, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
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Others mistakenly describe these acts as flakiness, disobedience, laziness, or personal failure in the absence of context.— Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Willfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/willfulness. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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