willfulness
Insistence on autonomy
Willfulness is deliberate, stubborn determination to do what one wants regardless of others' wishes or good judgment.
A willful child refuses to comply; a willful act is intentional rather than accidental.
The word carries negative connotations—willfulness suggests obstinacy where determination might be admirable: The project failed due to his willfulness in ignoring expert advice.
Refusal to yield
- pigheadednessStubborn refusal to yield
- bullheadednessStubborn persistence despite reason
- intransigenceRefusal to compromise
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
rigidity · adamancy · mulishness · obduracy · pertinacity · immovability · hardheadedness · uncompromising
Defiance of established power
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
contrariness · recalcitrance · dissent · mutiny · revolt · protest · nonconformity · contumacy
Firmness of purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
steadfastness · persistence · resilience · drive · dedication · commitment · purposefulness · single-mindedness
Control over one's fate
- independenceFreedom from external control
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- self-directionControlling one's own choices
- volitionCapacity for choice
self-governance · self-mastery · individualism · assertiveness · self-sufficiency · agency · sovereignty · self-rule
stubbornness
Refusal to yield
- pigheadednessStubborn refusal to yield
- bullheadednessStubborn persistence despite reason
- intransigenceRefusal to compromise
inflexibility · rigidity · adamancy · mulishness · obduracy · pertinacity · immovability · hardheadedness · uncompromising · unbending
rebellion
Defiance of established power
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
noncompliance · contrariness · recalcitrance · dissent · mutiny · revolt · protest · nonconformity · contumacy · insurgence
resolve
Firmness of purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
fortitude · steadfastness · persistence · resilience · drive · dedication · commitment · purposefulness · single-mindedness · resoluteness
self-determination
Control over one's fate
- independenceFreedom from external control
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- self-directionControlling one's own choices
volition · self-governance · self-mastery · individualism · assertiveness · self-sufficiency · agency · sovereignty · self-rule
- defiancedefiance, disobedience, insubordination, noncompliance, rebellion
- mischiefmischief, hijinks, antics, pranks, antic
- stubbornnessstubbornness, obstinacy, pigheadedness, bullheadedness, mulishness
- toddler behaviortantrums, whining, pouting, saying no, defiance
- unrulinessmisbehavior, misconduct, disobedience, defiance, insubordination
- criminal lawcrime, felony, misdemeanor, murder, robbery
willfulnessobedience
Compliance with authority
compliance · submission · docility · subservience · acquiescence
willfulnessopen-mindedness
Acceptance of differing viewpoints
reasonableness · receptiveness · flexibility · broad-mindedness · receptivity
willfulnesspatience
Calm during delays
forbearance · self-restraint · equanimity · composure · tolerance
will, willing, unwilling, willpower, willful, goodwill, willingly, willingness, willed