What does "wilfulness" mean?
The state or condition of being wilful; stubbornness.
Wilfulness
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The state or condition of being wilful; stubbornness.
- Grammar: wilfulness is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: cognitive bias, deliberate ignorance, deliberateness, fractiousness.
- Useful contrasts: accidentality, awareness, carelessness.
- Usage evidence: And it was very curious indeed to see the younger sister's eyes suffused with tears, and something fervently and deeply felt, breaking through the wilfulness of what she said, and striving with it painfully.
How to use "wilfulness"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "wilfulness" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "wilfulness" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The state or condition of being wilful; stubbornness. UK, uncountable, usually
"“I want ye all to know,” she said, with a clearing-up snuff, “dat it’s my will an’ pleasure to go right on doin’ my work jes’ de same; an’, Missis, please, I’ll allers put three eggs in de crullers, now; an’ I won’t turn de wash-basin down in de sink, but hang it jam-up on de nail; an’ I won’t pick up chips in a milk-pan, ef I’m in ever so big a hurry;—I’ll do eberyting jes’ as ye tells me. Now you try me an’ see ef I won’t!” / Candace here alluded to some of the little private wilfulnesses which she had always obstinately cherished as reserved rights, in pursuing domestic matters with her mistress."
- 2 the trait of being prone to disobedience and lack of discipline wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"And it was very curious indeed to see the younger sister's eyes suffused with tears, and something fervently and deeply felt, breaking through the wilfulness of what she said, and striving with it painfully."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "wilfulness"?
Common synonyms include: cognitive bias, deliberate ignorance, deliberateness, fractiousness, intentionality, obstinacy.
How do you use "wilfulness" in a sentence?
And it was very curious indeed to see the younger sister's eyes suffused with tears, and something fervently and deeply felt, breaking through the wilfulness of what she said, and striving with it painfully.
Etymology
From wilful + -ness.