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
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
President Trump met with former rebel leader turned new president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2025
-
Incidents of violence by rebel groups fell from 1,936 in 2010 to 374 in 2024, according to data from the home ministry.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
15 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
-
Research shows that people under stress are more likely to give up, but only when the situation feels uncontrollable.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
Entire neighborhoods are retrofitted with clear glass domes that activate during extreme rainstorms and uncontrollable wildfires.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Baldwin feels that such a response in the face of violence has to be a posture, an outright lie or a willful evasiveness.—
Andrew Moore,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
-
Reyes-Estrada was booked on suspicion of murder and willful harm and injury to a child likely to produce great bodily injury and is being held without bail, according to the news release.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share