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

• 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

Fortunately, many of us live in communities of fellow pet lovers who are willing and ready to keep an eye out for wayward animals. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

Tennessee’s big cats are mostly of the bobcat variety, but one wayward mountain lion captured the state’s attention. —Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025

There are way too many open storefronts still and far too few police — hence Marc Benioff’s wayward remarks about the need for National Guard troops. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025

Maybe people will skip the race bit altogether and it will be framed as a steamy, New York summer romance between an artist and a wayward priest. —Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025

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