1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
had always been the most wayward of their three children
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2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
an institution to which wayward teens were often sent
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Recent Examples of wayward
Deborah Sengupta Stith moved to Austin as a wayward liberal arts graduate in the ‘90s and promptly fell into the city’s music scene.
—
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
In the conference room next to Woodcock’s office, the drug shortage staff began to weigh in whenever the FDA’s compliance team moved to penalize wayward drugmakers because of bad inspections, according to several former FDA officials involved in the deliberations.
—Debbie Cenziper, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Thanks to the efforts of Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll course-correcting the wayward ship of Aston Martin Lagonda—nobody remembers the Lagonda part, not even AML—the brand's portfolio contains four core vehicles, with several derivatives like the Vantage S on their way.
—Alex Kalogiannis, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
For decades, Latino activists have strained to inspire gang members to join el movimiento — not as stormtroopers but as wayward youngsters and veteranos who can leave la vida loca behind if only they become enlightened.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
In the conference room next to Woodcock’s office, the drug shortage staff began to weigh in whenever the FDA’s compliance team moved to penalize wayward drugmakers because of bad inspections, according to several former FDA officials involved in the deliberations.
—Debbie Cenziper, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Thanks to the efforts of Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll course-correcting the wayward ship of Aston Martin Lagonda—nobody remembers the Lagonda part, not even AML—the brand's portfolio contains four core vehicles, with several derivatives like the Vantage S on their way.
—Alex Kalogiannis, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
For decades, Latino activists have strained to inspire gang members to join el movimiento — not as stormtroopers but as wayward youngsters and veteranos who can leave la vida loca behind if only they become enlightened.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
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The Opry had been wary of Cash's rebellious ways for some time, but this was the final straw.—
Audrey Gibbs,
The Tennessean,
28 Aug. 2025
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Cole is the rebellious cool older brother with a secret heart of gold, while Alex is the reliable nerdy and sweet one who wants to come out from Cole's shadow.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Myth That Won’t Die: 'Nobody Scrolls' For years, there’s been this stubborn idea in web design that everything important has to be above the fold.—
Talie Smith,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Fire signs are assertive, passionate and creative; Earth signs are dependable, stubborn and grounded; Air signs are curious intellectuals with a knack for socializing, and Water signs are known to tap into universal undercurrents, navigating emotions.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Originally, the many rebel groups fighting Assad’s forces included both secular and Islamic militias.—
Rami Zeedan,
The Conversation,
11 Aug. 2025
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After all, in Andor, a rebel alliance pushes back against an emperor.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Cook, the first Black female Fed governor, has struck a defiant stance and her lawyer signaled a lawsuit challenging her termination is imminent.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
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Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the board of the Fed — one of the world’s most important independent central banks — challenged her firing in a defiant statement.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Root for the Ravens, watch a satire of a popular cops and lawyers TV show, go to a classic rock concert, learn about Baltimore’s unruly past or see the return of the first summer blockbuster that urged you not to go into the water.—
John Coffren,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Aug. 2025
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In the teaser, some of the department's patients include a newborn baby and an unruly person thrashing around in an ambulance.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even in its humbled state, a recalcitrant Tehran will remain a dangerous actor and a powerful source of instability and uncertainty in the region.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Aug. 2025
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With Iranian power and influence waning, and with the challenges of an ascendant China and a recalcitrant Russia necessarily dominating the American national security agenda, indifference may appear to be the most appealing option for Washington.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Now, however, the United States is spiraling into a rapid and uncontrollable drawdown of its assets, pursuing short-term goals at the expense of long-term objectives.—
HENRY FARRELL,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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The development also sparked an even bigger discussion about growth in Concord becoming uncontrollable.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The funeral home is under investigation for willful dishonest conduct, negligence and fraud, among other charges, according to state documents.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
21 Aug. 2025
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For far too long, the United States has treated the Muslim Brotherhood with a dangerous combination of naivete and willful blindness.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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