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Knowingly vs Wilfully - What's the difference?

knowingly | wilfully |

As adverbs the difference between knowingly and wilfully

is that knowingly is in the manner of one who knows while wilfully is (obsolete) willingly, of one's own free will.

knowingly

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • In the manner of one who knows.
    • She smiled knowingly , but kept the secret.
  • With knowledge of all relevant facts.

    • wilfully

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (obsolete) Willingly, of one's own free will.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , II.vi:
    • Why then dost thou, O man, that of them all / Art Lord, and eke of nature Soueraine, / Wilfully make thy selfe a wretched thrall [...]?
  • Deliberately, on purpose; maliciously.