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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Her mother’s pullets were raised clean on a green yard, on a menu of crushed corn and wayward bugs, not manufactured in the crowd and reek of a modern-day factory farm, fattened on fish meal.
—
Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
Booker’s prescription for wayward Democrats seemed to be about showing up and using their present powers rather than chasing long-shot causes or hoping Republicans will bow to pressure from anyone but Trump.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, Athie finds warmth in Olivier’s detachment, ably using his deep voice for a stilted delivery that makes this wayward man feel quite at home bonding with a single chair.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Palud follows the same aberration when Being Maria tracks Schneider’s descent into heroin addiction, her wayward film career, family turmoil, and bisexuality.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
Booker’s prescription for wayward Democrats seemed to be about showing up and using their present powers rather than chasing long-shot causes or hoping Republicans will bow to pressure from anyone but Trump.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, Athie finds warmth in Olivier’s detachment, ably using his deep voice for a stilted delivery that makes this wayward man feel quite at home bonding with a single chair.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Palud follows the same aberration when Being Maria tracks Schneider’s descent into heroin addiction, her wayward film career, family turmoil, and bisexuality.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
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Lesser powers that find themselves under the dominion of a great power against their wishes can be resentful and rebellious.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
-
In 1978, an ambitious and rebellious young woman, Marina Bulgari, decamped from her family business to branch out with her own jewelry brand.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Why Communication Training Often Fails To Stick Some people are very stubborn and stick to their communication style, even when confronted.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Traders do see the Fed cutting in June, but much can change between now and then, and a stubborn central bank could set off Trump again.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Plutarch, future Head Gamemaker of the 75th Hunger Games and commander of the rebel forces, is a young Capitol cameraman in this timeline who is tasked with documenting the tributes of District 12.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The civil war in Sudan, between the government’s SAF and the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has just passed its grisly second anniversary.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host, was defiant in remarks to reporters earlier Monday.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2025
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But when asked about the lack of norms and decorum in the current political climate and whether Democrats need to play on the same level, Himes was defiant.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The title track of At The Beach, In Every Life closes the album with an encapsulation of Perez’s worldview, full of passion, disappointment and unruly thoughts that run into each other over the course of the song.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
25 Apr. 2025
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What’s so fun about unpacking all of this [is] to actually know that, for example, the Greeks thought that women shouldn’t vote or be allowed to have political power because of their uteruses, which were thought to be a site of unruly power.—
Mara Santilli,
Flow Space,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Traditionally, military pressure has influenced the Islamic Republic of Iran’s recalcitrant and anti-American leaders to make concessions.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
At least, as much as possible in an inherently uncontrollable industry.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The sloppy security breaches, the embarrassing headlines, the uncontrollable infighting and undermining, the lack of accountability — this all belongs to Hegseth.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Court records also show Mabry, of Oakland, has two prior felony convictions: second-degree robbery in February 2013 and evading an officer with willful disregard for public safety in June 2022.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
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The second is either a massive misjudgment or another example of willful deception.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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