willful intent

[/ˈwɪlfəl ɪnˈtent/]
noun phrase
intenção deliberada
1. A deliberate and conscious decision or purpose to perform an action, with full knowledge of its consequences
The contract was breached with willful intent to cause harm.
O contrato foi violado com intenção deliberada de causar dano.
2. In legal contexts, the intentional and purposeful commission of an act, as opposed to accidental or negligent action
The defendant acted with willful intent to defraud investors.
O réu agiu com intenção deliberada de defraudar investidores.
3. A determined and voluntary choice to do something despite knowing it may be wrong or harmful
She ignored the warning with willful intent.
Ela ignorou o aviso com intenção deliberada.
This phrase is primarily used in legal, business, and formal contexts in both American and Brazilian English. In the United States, it holds significant weight in criminal and civil law, particularly in establishing liability. In Brazil, 'intenção deliberada' is crucial in legal proceedings and contracts, where proving willful intent can result in more severe penalties or damages. The concept reflects cultural values around personal responsibility and accountability in formal institutional settings.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
deliberate intentpremeditationpurposeful actionconscious intentionmalice aforethought
Antonyms / Antônimos
negligenceaccidentunintentionalinadvertentaccidental

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
intenção deliberada
Most common formal usage in Brazilian legal and business contexts
Rio de Janeiro
intenção deliberada / propósito determinado
Often used interchangeably with 'propósito determinado'
São Paulo
intenção deliberada
Preferred in business and legal documents
Portugal
intenção deliberada / vontade determinada
Portuguese tends to use 'vontade determinada' more frequently in legal contexts

Related Words

mens reapremeditatedculpabilitycriminal intentintentionalitydeliberation

Related Idioms & Phrases

with malice aforethought
on purpose
with premeditation
intentionally and deliberately
knowing and willing
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