willful blindness

noun

willful blind·​ness
: deliberate failure to make a reasonable inquiry of wrongdoing (as drug dealing in one's house) despite suspicion or an awareness of the high probability of its existence

Note: Willful blindness involves conscious avoidance of the truth and gives rise to an inference of knowledge of the crime in question.

Dictionary Entries Near willful blindness

Cite this Entry

“Willful blindness.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/willful%20blindness. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!