wilful

comparative more wilful · comparative wilfuler · comparative wilfuller · superlative most wilful · superlative wilfulest · superlative wilfullest · alternative US willful · alternative archaic wilfull

1. UKIntentional; deliberate.

   Knowingly or unknowingly, every therapist assumes that each client possesses the capacity to change through willful choice.

   2005, Irvin D. Yalom with Molyn Leszcz, The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, page 182

   Synonyms: volitional, voluntary, advertent, conscious, witting, deliberate, intentional, on purpose

2. UKStubborn and determined.

   Mary had taken the whim into her willful head, and Jane could not dissuade her.

   1893, Edwin Caskoden, When Knighthood Was in Flower, page 110

   4 more examples

   Let you not be taking it bad, Conchubor, but you’ll get little good seeing her this night, for with all my talking it’s wilfuler she’s growing these two months or three.

   1909, John M[illington] Synge, “Act I”, in Deirdre of the Sorrows: A Play, Churchtown: Cuala Press, published 1910, page 5

   He was a youth to the end of his days, the heart of a boy with the head of a sage; the heart of a good boy, or a bad boy, but always a wilful boy, and wilfulest to show himself out at every time for just the boy he was.

   1910, W[illiam] D[ean] Howells, chapter I, in My Mark Twain: Reminiscences and Criticisms, New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, part first (Memories), page 5

   "He's as willful as you," Rizpah said. "If you let him hurt himself again, so help me, I'll — "

   1995, Francine Rivers, As Sure as the Dawn, page 232

   You had a pampered upbringing, and possessed enough of a willful streak that I wanted to slap you at times

   2007, Roger K. Thomas, Kinshu: Autumn Brocade, translation of original by Teru Miyamoto, page 136

   Synonyms: obstinate, self-willed, headstrong