willful with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "willful with" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts where someone is intentionally or deliberately engaging with something, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "His willful with the rules often led to conflicts with his colleagues."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Zimmer is similarly willful with her color theory, incorporating shades from all sides of the spectrum in intricate paintings that seem to swirl endlessly.

Vice

Zimmer is similarly willful with her color theory, incorporating shades from all sides of the spectrum in intricate paintings that seem to swirl endlessly.

Vice

The Federal Election Commission, which typically handles smaller campaign finance violations, where the actions aren't willful, with civil penalties that are typically fines, docked the Obama campaign $375,000 for regulatory civil violations.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But the part benefits from being written from Mr. Shepard's willful befuddlement with women, and he has fun with his own incomprehension.

The New York Times

Fleur is as passionately in love with Jon as her father was with Irene, but she is Soames's spoiled, willful daughter, with a healthy dose of girlish callousness stamped into Forsyte DNA.

The New York Times

Sometimes the fight is messy; but willful presidents with the national interest at their back usually win out.

The New York Times

I had left my family home and was living a totally willful life with little sense of gravity.

The New Yorker

And he is expert in conveying that profound blend of heightened sensitivity and willful blindness with which close family members see one another.

The New York Times

You have across-the-board systematic, willful noncompliance with straightforward labor law by a large margin in a way that's very destructive to workers".

The New York Times

(Parents are similarly undermined by a willful child with a strong sense of personal style in "Ella Sarah Gets Dressed, Margaret Chodos-Irvinee's 2004 Caldecott Honor Book).

The New York Times - Books

"The actions of F.O.T.A. as a whole, and Ferrari in particular, amount to serious violations of law including willful interference with contractual relations, direct breaches of Ferrari's legal obligations and a grave violation of competition law," the statement read.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "willful with", ensure the context clearly indicates intentionality or deliberateness to avoid ambiguity. For example, use it to describe someone consciously engaging with a specific approach, theory, or set of rules.

Common error

Avoid using "willful with" when describing actions that are accidental or unintentional. The phrase implies a conscious choice or deliberate engagement, not a mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willful with" functions as an adjective modifying a noun, followed by a preposition indicating the object of that willfulness. This suggests a deliberate or intentional quality in how someone interacts or deals with something. As Ludwig AI notes, it is not a standard expression, making context crucial for understanding.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "willful with" describes a deliberate or intentional engagement with something. While grammatically acceptable, it's not a commonly used expression. Ludwig AI suggests that this phrase isn't standard, thus context is key to understanding its meaning. It most frequently appears in News & Media and can be replaced with clearer alternatives like "deliberate with" or "intentional with" to ensure better communication. Use it cautiously, ensuring the context emphasizes the intended deliberate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberate with

Emphasizes a careful and intentional approach, implying thoughtful consideration.

intentional with

Highlights the planned and purposeful nature of an action or decision.

purposeful with

Suggests a strong sense of direction and a clear goal in mind.

determined with

Focuses on the resolute and unwavering nature of one's actions.

resolute with

Implies a firm and unwavering commitment to a particular course of action.

steadfast with

Conveys a sense of unwavering loyalty and dedication.

obstinate with

Highlights the stubborn and inflexible nature of an action.

headstrong with

Suggests a tendency to act impulsively and without regard for consequences.

intransigent with

Implies an unwillingness to compromise or negotiate.

obdurate with

Conveys a sense of extreme stubbornness and resistance to persuasion.

FAQs

What does "willful with" mean?

"Willful with" suggests a deliberate or intentional engagement with something, indicating a conscious choice to interact or apply something in a particular way.

Is "willful with" grammatically correct?

While not a common phrase, "willful with" is grammatically acceptable. However, ensure the context clearly conveys the intended meaning to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives if clarity is paramount.

What are some alternatives to "willful with"?

You could use phrases like "deliberate with", "intentional with", or "purposeful with" to express similar ideas with potentially greater clarity.

How can I use "willful with" in a sentence?

You can use "willful with" to describe someone intentionally engaging with a concept or approach, such as "The artist was "willful with" her use of color theory."