Word
willfully
Phoneticswill·ful·ly
/ˈwɪɫfəɫi/
Definition
adv. to do something on purpose, especially when you know it is wrong or against the rules. You use this when someone refuses to change their mind even if it causes problems.
adv. done with deliberate intent or determination, often in a way that is stubborn or contrary to legal or moral standards. Frequently used in legal contexts to describe intentional non-compliance.
Examples
“He willfully ignored the warning signs on the gate.”
“The company was fined for willfully neglecting safety regulations despite multiple warnings from inspectors.”
“The defendant was found to have willfully withheld evidence that would have clarified the timeline of events, leading the judge to issue a stern reprimand for obstructing the judicial process.”
Examples
simple
“He willfully ignored the warning signs on the gate.”
contextual
“The company was fined for willfully neglecting safety regulations despite multiple warnings from inspectors.”
complex
“The defendant was found to have willfully withheld evidence that would have clarified the timeline of events, leading the judge to issue a stern reprimand for obstructing the judicial process.”
Usage
Typically placed before the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.
Pitfall
He wilfuly did it
He willfully did it
In American English, the word is spelled with a double 'l' in the middle (willfully), while British English often uses a single 'l' (wilfully).
Real-World Examples
“Brinkema ruled last year that Google had willfully monopolised both the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets, and had unlawfully tied the two products together.” Etymology
From willful + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/willfully