willfully oblivious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "willfully oblivious" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means intentionally ignoring or choosing to be unaware of something. Example: Despite numerous warnings from his friends, John remained willfully oblivious to the fact that his girlfriend was cheating on him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Eli Manning is willfully oblivious to his family legacy.

The New York Times - Sports

Willfully oblivious to the manhunt, they listened to music — not news — on the radio and disassembled their cellphone.

The New York Times

The show's female characters, shrewdly (or inadvertently), are far smarter than the men, except for the philanderer's willfully oblivious wife.

The New York Times - Arts

In the age of the Facebook Timeline, either readers are going to have to become willfully oblivious or writers are going to have to get more skillful.

The New York Times

Some of the book's characters choose to recall recent history and notice anti-Semitism while others remain willfully oblivious, and the clash can be dramatic.

The New York Times

Today, much of the rank and file seem willfully oblivious to the mechanics of the bunting, as if knowing would bring bad luck.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This judgment was in fact willfully selective and oblivious to a contradictory body of facts".

The New York Times - Books

That finding is meant to contradict the stereotype of Americans learning little science in school and being oblivious to or willfully ignorant of the scientific consensus on everything from climate change to evolution.

Science Magazine

On Saturday, Gates wrote in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal that Trump was "beyond repair" in his understanding of the world, "oblivious to the reality" of the Middle East and "willfully ignorant".

The Guardian

Unfortunately, Partiers remain oblivious to the role deregulation played in the 2008 financial crisis and are willfully ignorant of a foundational economic principle: that public and private sector spending are complementary.

Huffington Post

Oblivious vendors.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "willfully oblivious" when you want to emphasize that someone is not simply unaware, but actively choosing to ignore something, even when it's obvious or important.

Common error

Avoid using "willfully oblivious" when simple ignorance or lack of information is the more accurate description. The phrase implies a deliberate choice to remain uninformed, not just a lack of awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willfully oblivious" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a state of deliberately ignoring or being unaware of something, highlighting a conscious choice to remain uninformed. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "willfully oblivious" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase that describes someone who is deliberately choosing to ignore something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's commonly used in news and media contexts to express disapproval of someone's conscious choice to remain unaware. While it can sometimes be confused with simple ignorance, the key difference lies in the implied intent. Related phrases include "intentionally oblivious" and "deliberately ignorant". When using the phrase, ensure you are accurately portraying a conscious decision to ignore, rather than a mere lack of awareness. High-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentionally oblivious

Emphasizes the conscious decision to be unaware.

deliberately ignorant

Highlights the active choice to remain uninformed.

consciously unaware

Focuses on the awareness of the situation coupled with the choice to disregard it.

purposely unmindful

Implies a specific goal or intention behind the lack of attention.

knowingly disregarding

Stresses the act of ignoring something despite knowing about it.

studiously inattentive

Suggests a careful or calculated avoidance of attention.

determinedly blind

Emphasizes the strong will to remain unaware, creating a more forceful image.

resolutely ignoring

Highlights the firm and unwavering decision to ignore something.

callously unobservant

Implies a lack of empathy in addition to not noticing something.

willfully blindfolded

Uses metaphorical imagery to express the deliberate act of preventing oneself from seeing the truth.

FAQs

How to use "willfully oblivious" in a sentence?

You can use "willfully oblivious" to describe someone who is intentionally ignoring something obvious. For instance, "He was "willfully oblivious" to the risks involved in the project."

What can I say instead of "willfully oblivious"?

You can use alternatives like "intentionally oblivious", "deliberately ignorant", or "consciously unaware" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "willfully oblivious" and "oblivious"?

"Oblivious" simply means unaware, while "willfully oblivious" implies a deliberate choice to remain unaware, even when presented with information. It suggests a stronger level of intent than just being uninformed.

Is it better to say "willfully oblivious" or "willfully ignorant"?

Both phrases imply a deliberate choice to remain uninformed, but "willfully ignorant" focuses on a lack of knowledge, whereas ""willfully oblivious"" focuses on ignoring what's directly in front of you. The best choice depends on the specific context you want to convey.