1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
had always been the most wayward of their three children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
an institution to which wayward teens were often sent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wayward
As Murray looked to pass the ball to shooting guard Christian Braun on the wing, Harden jumped into Murray’s line of vision, forcing a wayward delivery that was behind Braun and stolen by Clippers reserve Bogdan Bogdanović.
—
Law Murray, New York Times, 2 May 2025
This is the same team that took in a wayward seal stranded in downtown New Haven, Connecticut, in February.
—Emilie Ikeda, NBC news, 1 May 2025
After a 3-month long girls trip along Florida’s Gulf Coast, a wayward pair of endangered North Atlantic right whales known as Curlew and Koala have finally wandered back to the Atlantic Ocean.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
His experience gave me hope that instead of being given room to destroy, perhaps Maryland’s wayward youth would be given the discipline needed to succeed.
—Yuripzy Morgan, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Law Murray, New York Times, 2 May 2025
This is the same team that took in a wayward seal stranded in downtown New Haven, Connecticut, in February.
—Emilie Ikeda, NBC news, 1 May 2025
After a 3-month long girls trip along Florida’s Gulf Coast, a wayward pair of endangered North Atlantic right whales known as Curlew and Koala have finally wandered back to the Atlantic Ocean.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
His experience gave me hope that instead of being given room to destroy, perhaps Maryland’s wayward youth would be given the discipline needed to succeed.
—Yuripzy Morgan, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
-
Still, Adams failed to outright ask the most important questions: Were Canadians ever willing to join the rebellious Thirteen Colonies?—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
-
Libra: Marge Simpson from The Simpsons Only a Libra mother could calmly and miraculously put up with the shenanigans that her three rebellious children cause.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Get The Recipe Smart Move Similar recipes with beans and peas existed before then, but a challenge made to a stubborn chef named Helen Corbitt spurred the creation of Texas caviar.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
17 May 2025
-
When tragedy strikes on Michigan roads—when a car skids off an icy bend or a semi-truck barrels through a red light—victims are often left to face not only devastating injuries but also a daunting legal maze of corporate denials and stubborn insurers.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
The president's remarks note a stark difference in recent comments he's made toward the rebel group.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
-
This week, rebel assassin Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) was accidentally shot by a Ghorman revolutionary during a routine attack on an Imperial transport ship.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
The defiant message comes after weeks of intense news coverage and a Republican House committee investigation into Hope Florida and its nonprofit charity arm, the Hope Florida Foundation.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2025
-
Post match, the 17-year-old was in a typically defiant mood.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Afghanistan remains unruly and dangerous and Pakistan is a willing and able partner in facing those threats, including a resurgent Al Qaeda.—
Christopher Shays,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
-
But the consequences of excessive drinking onboard – from unruly behavior to safety risks – can far outweigh the temporary pleasure of a drink.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
Big cars, bigger trucks, two-dimensional women, recalcitrant men.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
9 May 2025
-
While the markets have not responded kindly, the White House insists the tariffs are bringing recalcitrant nations to the bargaining table.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Daily use by adolescents and adults can result in another unpleasant side effect: uncontrollable vomiting, according to a 2021 study.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
5 May 2025
-
The phenomenon happens after a person repeatedly experiences negative, uncontrollable events.—
Kim Key,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
As leaders of the lo-fi indie rock sound, the musicians remained something of a secret passed among fans, their air of willful inscrutability, ambivalence toward conventional success and general irreverence inspiring a dedicated faithful that has only grown over the years.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
-
Reasonable limits on liability • Exclusions for gross negligence or willful misconduct Tip: Always read these clauses carefully and ask your attorney to explain them in plain English.—
Stephen Nalley,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share