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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for willfulness
Noun
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Flowy gowns, and darker hues of usually vibrant shades are used possibly to convey the love, despair, rebellion, and individualism the designer mentioned in his show notes.—
Kerane Marcellus,
Essence,
13 Feb. 2025 -
The first is Hotspur’s — poor, reckless lionheart, unlucky enough to be born on the wrong side of the rebellion.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their journey proves that self-belief, discipline, and persistence can help in overcoming challenges and create a better future for oneself and others.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2025
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The increase's magnitude and persistence have shocked many climate experts, leaving them somewhat puzzled about what else could be behind the remarkable rise.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Silicon Valley Workers Quietly Protest: As Mark Zuckerberg and other tech titans have embraced President Trump and muffled internal dissent at their companies, their mostly left-leaning employees have objected with subtle acts of defiance.—
Mike Isaac,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2025
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The city was forced to padlock the doors in the face of such defiance of rules and regulations.—
Siobhan McLaughlin,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Yet, over time, Bashar Assad inherited his father’s obstinacy and brutality and increasingly relied on the security apparatus to maintain control, stifling dissent and curbing opposition.—
Sefa Secen / Made by History,
TIME,
17 Dec. 2024
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That is the popular girl’s cross to bear, and the desperate obstinacy that comes with this realization is one of Cody’s main themes.—
Rafaela Bassili,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2024
Noun
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These laws sought to punish the people of Massachusetts for their disobedience during the Boston Tea Party by suspending civil government and trial by jury, among other things.—
Lawrence B.A. Hatter / Made by History,
TIME,
4 Feb. 2025
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Yes From an early age, we are taught that obedience is good, and disobedience is bad.—
Dr. Sunita Sah,
TIME,
4 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
2 May 2023
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Dan recalled of his daughter’s persistency.—
Eric Sondheimer Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Dec. 2020
Noun
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Economists say the trajectory for both countries is worrying, warning that the absence of growth, fiscal imbalances and political intransigence could lead to decline and a loss of standing for Europe, as a whole.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
2 Jan. 2025
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For journalistic perspective, a critic Jameson might be compared with, in stature and longevity, but also fortitude and intransigence, is Harold Bloom, who died in 2019 at eighty-nine.—
Mark Greif,
Harper's Magazine,
26 July 2024
Noun
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Related: ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them One possible reason for this obduracy is that noma begins as a dental disease, and dental diseases have long been underappreciated global health concerns.—
John Button,
STAT,
16 Dec. 2023
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Andreas blames the obduracy of U.S. politicians and bureaucrats for the persistence of the drug wars, despite their evident failure and their huge financial and human costs.—
Russell Crandall,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Apr. 2021
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Thesaurus Entries Near willfulness
Cite this Entry
“Willfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willfulness. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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