What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
willfulness
Example
Her willfulness helped her to overcome the obstacles and achieve her goals. [willfulness: noun]
Example
He showed his willfulness by pursuing his dreams despite the challenges. [willfulness: adjective]
stubbornness
Example
His stubbornness prevented him from seeing other perspectives and finding a solution. [stubbornness: noun]
Example
She was too stubborn to admit her mistake and apologize. [stubborn: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stubbornness is more commonly used than willfulness in everyday language. Stubbornness is often used to describe a negative trait, while willfulness is less common and is usually associated with a positive trait.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between willfulness and stubbornness?
Both willfulness and stubbornness are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
