wayward

adjective

way·​ward ˈwā-wərd 

1

: following one's own capricious, wanton, or depraved inclinations : ungovernable

a wayward child

2

: following no clear principle or law : unpredictable

3

: opposite to what is desired or expected : untoward

wayward fate

waywardly adverb

waywardness noun

Synonyms of wayward

• rebellious
• rebel
• defiant
• stubborn

Choose the Right Synonym for wayward

contrary, perverse, restive, balky, wayward mean inclined to resist authority or control.

contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

a contrary child

perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.

a perverse, intractable critic

restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.

tired soldiers growing restive

balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.

a balky witness

wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

a school for wayward youths

Examples of wayward in a Sentence

parents of a wayward teenager

had always been the most wayward of their three children

Recent Examples on the Web

The plane — heading from Orlando to a golf tournament in Texas— failed to make radio contact or respond to the fighter jets scrambled to intercept it along its wayward course. — Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 26 July 2026

There is a wayward consultant class that will back anyone to win because winning achieves personal ambitions for power and money. — Maria Comella, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026

With weather conditions changing almost by the minute, challenging pot bunkers, and high grass to punish the wayward shot, the Open is one tournament which isn’t taken lightly. — Jeff Hartman, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Bar associations need to have more of a bite in going after law licenses to curb wayward lawyers like Bondi, Blanche or Brito, who lawyer solely for political reason without adherence to the rule of law. — Miles J. Zaremski, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, short for awayward turned away, from away, adverb + -ward

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wayward

adjective

way·​ward ˈwā-wərd 

1

: tending to do as one pleases : disobedient

wayward children

2

: not following a rule or regular course of action

waywardly adverb

waywardness noun