SELF-WILLED

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does self-willed mean? 

• SELF-WILLED (adjective)
  The adjective SELF-WILLED has 1 sense:

1. habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

  Familiarity information: SELF-WILLED used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SELF-WILLED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

Synonyms:

froward; headstrong; self-willed; wilful; willful

Similar:

disobedient (not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority)

 Context examples 

It was James’s own fault. You know that yourself. He was too self-willed for the job.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Catherine, weak-spirited, irritable, and completely under Lydia's guidance, had been always affronted by their advice; and Lydia, self-willed and careless, would scarcely give them a hearing.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Self-willed, obstinate, selfish, and ungrateful.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Emma perceived that the nature of his gallantry was a little self-willed, and that he would rather oppose than lose the pleasure of dancing with her; but she took the compliment, and forgave the rest.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Wild was the wrestle which should be paramount; but another feeling rose and triumphed: something hard and cynical: self-willed and resolute: it settled his passion and petrified his countenance: he went on—During the moment I was silent, Miss Eyre, I was arranging a point with my destiny.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Thursday, predestined to hope and enjoyment, came; and opened with more kindness to Fanny than such self-willed, unmanageable days often volunteer, for soon after breakfast a very friendly note was brought from Mr. Crawford to William, stating that as he found himself obliged to go to London on the morrow for a few days, he could not help trying to procure a companion; and therefore hoped that if William could make up his mind to leave Mansfield half a day earlier than had been proposed, he would accept a place in his carriage.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)