willful

willful
willfully, adv.willfulness, n.
/wil"feuhl/, adj.
1. deliberate, voluntary, or intentional: The coroner ruled the death willful murder.
2. unreasonably stubborn or headstrong; self-willed.
Also, wilful.
[1150-1200; ME; OE wilful willing. See WILL2, -FUL]
Syn. 1. volitional. 2. intransigent; contrary, refractory, pigheaded, inflexible, obdurate, adamant. WILLFUL, HEADSTRONG, PERVERSE, WAYWARD refer to one who stubbornly insists upon doing as he or she pleases. WILLFUL suggests a stubborn persistence in doing what one wishes, esp. in opposition to those whose wishes or commands ought to be respected or obeyed: that willful child who disregarded his parents' advice. One who is HEADSTRONG is often foolishly, and sometimes violently, self-willed: reckless and headstrong youths.
The PERVERSE person is unreasonably or obstinately intractable or contrary, often with the express intention of being disagreeable: perverse out of sheer spite. WAYWARD in this sense has the connotation of rash wrongheadedness that gets one into trouble: a reform school for wayward girls.
Ant. 2. obedient, tractable.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • willful — [wil′fəl] adj. 1. said or done deliberately or intentionally 2. doing as one pleases; self willed SYN. VOLUNTARY willfully adv. willfulness n …   English World dictionary

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  • willful — will•ful or wilful [[t]ˈwɪl fəl[/t]] adj. 1) deliberate, voluntary, or intentional: willful murder[/ex] 2) cvb unreasonably stubborn or headstrong; perversely obstinate • Etymology: 1150–1200 will′ful•ly, adv. will′ful•ness, n. syn: willful,… …   From formal English to slang

  • willful — or wilful adjective Date: 13th century 1. obstinately and often perversely self willed < a stubborn and willful child > 2. done deliberately ; intentional < willful disobedience > Synonyms: see unruly • willfully adverb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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