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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wayward
Booing in the National Women’s Soccer League and the Women’s Super League in the UK, for example, is more likely to be aimed at a referee’s wayward decision than an opponent.
—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Remove wayward stems and reduce the size as needed so the plant will complement the available growing space.
—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2026
The wayward trailer then struck the Ford F-150 pickup heading east and driven by Fiscus.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
On finding his magical hammer there he is given back his godly powers and returns to his home planet to protect it from an attack by his wayward brother, played by British actor Tom Hiddleston.
—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Remove wayward stems and reduce the size as needed so the plant will complement the available growing space.
—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2026
The wayward trailer then struck the Ford F-150 pickup heading east and driven by Fiscus.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
On finding his magical hammer there he is given back his godly powers and returns to his home planet to protect it from an attack by his wayward brother, played by British actor Tom Hiddleston.
—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
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This could bring about sudden ideas, or trigger rebellious impulses and creative imagination.
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In 2000 at age 15, he was sent to live in Australia with a host family because his father thought Zhang was too rebellious to stay in China.
Adjective
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Dealing with stubborn dark spots?
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But when the adults decide to cancel Christmas and the magical star fades away, a stubborn little bird named Pikkuli sets off on a winter adventure with friends to find the Starlight Reindeer and bring back the light.
Adjective
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Starmer had previously vowed to stand in any formal Labour leadership race triggered by rebel lawmakers who feating a 2029 election wipeout sought to replace him.
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Many rebel groups are offshoots of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which had been fighting to overthrow the government since the 1960s and had been the country's largest guerrilla organization.
Adjective
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The 26-year-old actress plays Oreana Jackson in the Yellowstone spinoff series, the daughter of the unruly Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) and granddaughter of Rio Paloma's resident ranch queen, Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening).
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Dinosaur quickly got banned from some Massachusetts venues for playing too loud with their unruly combination of punk aggression and guitar solo-heavy classic rock.
Adjective
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To a defiant Son, however, the party hasn’t even started.
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Terri Hupfer, draped in a Pride flag and a Giants’ issued Pride T-shirt, drove 90 minutes from her Delta home to join Tuesday’s pregame gathering, which was organized online and drew more media and police than defiant (or supportive) fans.
Adjective
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The patron saint of the 2024 Democratic National Convention was Fannie Lou Hamer—recalcitrant sharecropper turned agitator and, like the Democratic presidential nominee, a black woman.
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Initially blocked by recalcitrant Democratic members of the House, the legislation was reintroduced during a lame-duck session following the 2024 election.
Adjective
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The cold water gasp reflex is completely involuntary and uncontrollable.
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This is an ignoble war making monsters and fools out of its participants, and against the uncontrollable weapons that are dragons, everyone’s resolve is crumbling.
Adjective
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Value meets vision as the willful Sun activates your 2nd House of Finances in a quincunx to intense Pluto in your 9th House of Exploration.
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There is the willful weakness of Congress, the overblown power of the Supreme Court and the improbability of new Constitutional amendments.
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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