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
Baldwin has done it while playing the most difficult and demanding position on the diamond, mentally in terms of daily meetings and film study, and physically from the toll of working beneath pads in the summer heat and getting nicked up from foul tips, collisions and occasional wayward swings.
—
David O'Brien, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Usually, sitting close to the action means dodging wayward balls and soaking up the adrenaline of live play.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The best cure for the chaos in his mind turns out to be channelling his wayward thoughts into writing.
—Emily Witt, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Jamie Lee Curtis plays her supportive aunt, while Woody Harrelson is Ella’s (Mackey) wayward father, and Rebecca Hall is her late mother.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
David O'Brien, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Usually, sitting close to the action means dodging wayward balls and soaking up the adrenaline of live play.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The best cure for the chaos in his mind turns out to be channelling his wayward thoughts into writing.
—Emily Witt, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Jamie Lee Curtis plays her supportive aunt, while Woody Harrelson is Ella’s (Mackey) wayward father, and Rebecca Hall is her late mother.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
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Written by Kaitlin Reilly and Dorian Keyes, the film follows a rebellious bad boy and a type-A overachiever who join forces to win the student body presidency – and maybe each other’s hearts along the way.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
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In business, as in life, there are times when conformity is an asset, but in others, embracing your individuality, inhabiting your rebellious spirit and being a true trailblazer are what lead to success.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Viewers were quick to point out the hilarity of the dog's stubborn protest, with many suggesting that the dachshund had already claimed permanent rights to the bed.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The stubborn myth that Jews are too safe to be targets is colliding with a painful new reality.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The rebel run is the biggest of them all.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Humanitarian organizations estimate over 13 million people have been displaced by the fighting between the government’s military forces and the rebel RSF fighters, with famine and disease a by-product of the struggle for power.—
Rory Fleming,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But to Hollywood, Pusser’s defiant story was irresistible.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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A day earlier, at his pre-match news conference, Pochettino sounded defensive and defiant.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Food-storage-container management Tame an unruly collection of food storage containers by taking all of them out, matching the lids to their containers, and getting rid of any pieces that are missing their other half or that are damaged.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
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International headlines often paint Haiti as a nation gripped by crisis — from political unrest and economic hardship to uncertainty about the future and unruly crime.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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In that case, the Saudis would bring greater pressure to be on their recalcitrant partners.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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The main risk is that these batteries can overheat and go into thermal runaway, a chain reaction that occurs when a lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state—resulting in extremely high temperature, smoke and, ultimately, a fire that is notoriously difficult to put out.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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See a doctor if your bumps do not improve with home care or if the itching is uncontrollable.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The result is a book of willful delirium, one that deconstructs its own narrative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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Huger was ultimately charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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