wilful
Stubbornly self-determined
Wilful is the British spelling of willful.
Someone wilful acts according to their own will, often stubbornly or contrary to what others want: a wilful child, wilful disobedience.
In legal contexts, wilful means deliberate rather than accidental: wilful negligence, wilful misconduct.
The word carries a note of defiance—doing something knowing it may be wrong or unwelcome.
Refusing to change course
- headstrongStubbornly self-willed
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
mulish · intransigent · unyielding · adamant · obdurate · pertinacious · stiff-necked · unbending
Planned before acting
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- intentionalDone on purpose
- consciousMentally present and alert
- purposefulDone with intention
planned · considered · knowing · witting · designed · voluntary · volitional · thought-out
Defying rightful authority
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- unrulyDifficult to control
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
contrary · noncompliant · oppositional · mutinous · refractory · contumacious · wayward · intractable
stubborn
Refusing to change course
- headstrongStubbornly self-willed
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
bullheaded · mulish · intransigent · unyielding · adamant · obdurate · pertinacious · stiff-necked · unbending · immovable
premeditated
Planned before acting
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- intentionalDone on purpose
- consciousMentally present and alert
purposeful · planned · considered · knowing · witting · designed · voluntary · volitional · thought-out · reasoned
insubordinate
Defying rightful authority
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- unrulyDifficult to control
recalcitrant · contrary · noncompliant · oppositional · mutinous · refractory · contumacious · wayward · intractable · resistant
wilfulunintentional
Not done on purpose
accidental · involuntary · unwitting · unplanned · unconscious
wilfulobedient
Following commands willingly
docile · compliant · biddable · submissive · tractable
wilfulflexible
Able to bend freely
accommodating · yielding · compromising · adaptable · cooperative