WILLFULLY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

willfully

adverb

Definition of willfully

as in intentionally

with full awareness of what one is doing willfully chose to risk pneumonia by jumping into a freezing lake on a dare

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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 willfully On March 24, a jury in New Mexico ruled that the social media giant willfully violated consumer protection laws by harming children's mental health through its deceptive product design. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 Voters should understand that these decisions are made willfully and with plenty of warnings. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026 As China expands its legal power, the United States is willfully eroding its own. — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 The person, whose name was not released, was arrested on suspicion of unlawfully causing a fire resulting in injury to fires, obstructing or delaying a police investigation and willfully resisting, obstructing or delaying a fire investigation. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor in which an individual willfully disobeys or impedes a congressional investigation. — Connor Greene, Time, 6 Aug. 2026 Inside the courtroom, Begoun told the judge and prosecutor what had happened and argued his client had not willfully failed to appear. — Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 Kohberger admitted in court to committing the murders willfully and with premeditation. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 29 July 2026 The special counsel nevertheless concluded that the Justice Department would be unlikely to secure a conviction because prosecutors could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Biden acted willfully. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for willfully

Adverb

California was among dozens of states that sued Meta in 2023, alleging in a lawsuit that the social media giant intentionally designed harmful and addictive features to hook children while misleading the public about the dangers.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The payout is part of a massive multistate settlement resolving claims that Meta intentionally designed its products to be addictive and knowingly exposed young people to mental harm.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of intentionally

Adverb

Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.

— Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Meta Platforms — The Instagram and Facebook owner jumped 3% after the company and state attorneys general reached a settlement in a case that claimed Meta deliberately made its applications addictive for teenagers.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of deliberately

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“Willfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/willfully. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of willfully

adverb

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