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Wilfully - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Wilfully means doing something deliberately or intentionally, often with a stubborn or reckless disregard for consequences. It implies a conscious choice to act in a certain way.

wilfully

/ˈwɪlfəli/ /ˈwɪlfəli/

Definition:

Intentionally or deliberately, often with a stubborn or unreasonable attitude.

Synonyms:

deliberately, intentionally, knowingly, purposely, voluntarily

Part of Speech:

adverb

Antonyms:

accidentally, unintentionally, involuntarily

Common Collocations:

act wilfully, behave wilfully, ignore wilfully, refuse wilfully, violate wilfully

Derivatives:

wilful (adj), wilfulness (n)

Usage Tips:

Use "wilfully" to emphasize deliberate action, often with a negative connotation of stubbornness or defiance.

Common Phrases:

wilfully ignorant, wilfully disobedient, wilfully neglectful

Etymology:

Derived from Old English "wilful," meaning "desiring" or "deliberate," combined with the adverbial suffix "-ly."

Examples:

  • 1. She wilfully ignored the teacher's instructions.
  • 2. He acted wilfully to disrupt the meeting.
  • 3. The child broke the vase wilfully despite warnings.
  • 4. They were accused of wilfully violating company policies.

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