wilfully decided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wilfully decided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a decision was made intentionally and with purpose. Example: "After much consideration, she wilfully decided to pursue a different career path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I don't believe in God because certain reasons and arguments weigh more heavily in my mind than others, not because I have wilfully decided to reject my creator, as many religious people seem to think.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But, as far as I can see, either the leave campaigners misunderstand the impact Brexit would have or they have decided to wilfully mislead us.

The Guardian - Opinion

VICE News spent two days this week traveling around Ireland with this group of activists and one member of parliament who had decided to wilfully break the law and risk up to 14 years in prison by distributing the World Health Organization-approved medical abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol to women. .

Vice

Twelve of the 15 council members of the philosophy faculty decided she had "systematically and wilfully" presented other people's ideas as her own in her dissertation on "Person and Conscience".

The Economist

This government decided to be a gang of wilfully callous cowards a long time ago; they'll seize on any information that makes their callousness look like cold inevitable reason, and shut out anything that contradicts them.

Vice

In the political realm, we have a major political party which apparently decided its only goal is to win the next election -- and has wilfully triggered one budget crisis after another towards that end.

Huffington Post

But in many ways La Roux – now basically a solo vehicle for Elly Jackson – has always felt like a pop entity wilfully out of step with what's going on, which probably also explains why Radio 1 decided not to playlist the album's first single, Uptight Downtown.

The Guardian - Music

We decided to become doctors to help people, and it is unacceptable that we're being wilfully put in a position that not only compromises our mental and physical wellbeing, but also that of our patients.

The Guardian

Ultimately, it's hard not to feel that those doing the striking either hadn't seen the show or had wilfully missed the point – the character isn't ridiculing Gandhi so much as sending up high-school archetypes – but MTV decided they didn't need the hassle for a series that wasn't exactly raking in the viewers, and promptly cancelled it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

No system of press regulation can account for a news organisation that decides to be reckless, or wilfully break the law.

The Guardian

McCormack sad it was up to the ABS to decide if Xenophon and the two Greens were wilfully obstructing the census, but he hoped they could get on board.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wilfully decided" when you want to emphasize that a decision was made with a strong sense of purpose, often against advice or common expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "wilfully decided" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "deliberately chose" or "intentionally decided" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wilfully decided" functions as a verb phrase where "wilfully" modifies the verb "decided", indicating the manner in which the decision was made. It implies a conscious and intentional choice, possibly against prevailing opinions or expected norms. As Ludwig AI highlights, it conveys a deliberate intention.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wilfully decided" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a decision made with deliberate intention, potentially against advice or expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news and opinion contexts. Alternatives such as "intentionally decided" or "deliberately chose" can provide a more neutral tone in formal settings. When using "wilfully decided", be mindful of the emphasis it places on the intentional and potentially defiant nature of the decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentionally decided

Emphasizes the deliberate nature of the decision, highlighting that it was not accidental.

deliberately chose

Focuses on the act of choosing with careful consideration and purpose.

consciously decided

Highlights that the decision was made with full awareness and understanding.

purposefully decided

Stresses the existence of a specific aim or goal behind the decision.

voluntarily decided

Indicates that the decision was made of one's own free will, without coercion.

knowingly decided

Suggests that the decision was made with full knowledge of the potential consequences.

determinedly chose

Emphasizes the firmness and resolve behind the act of choosing.

resolutely decided

Highlights the unwavering and determined nature of the decision.

advisedly decided

Suggests the decision was made after careful thought and consideration of advice.

willingly decided

Implies a readiness and enthusiasm in making the decision.

FAQs

What does "wilfully decided" mean?

The phrase "wilfully decided" means to make a decision with deliberate intention, often implying a disregard for potential consequences or advice.

What can I say instead of "wilfully decided"?

You can use alternatives like "intentionally decided", "deliberately chose", or "consciously decided" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "wilfully decided" the same as "willfully decided"?

"Wilfully decided" and "willfully decided" are the same, with "wilfully" being the British English spelling and "willfully" the American English spelling. The meaning remains the same: a decision made deliberately and intentionally.

How to use "wilfully decided" in a sentence?

You can use "wilfully decided" in a sentence like this: "Despite the warnings, she "wilfully decided" to ignore the advice and proceed with her plan."