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
Even your grimy London suburb feels unsettling, but then again, it’s plagued by spooky goings-on: disappearances, violence, and wayward theories (specifically from your friend Marty) that there’s a demonic element to it all.
—
Matt Gardner, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
The handsome actor who starred as Jake Cutter in ABC’s adventure series, Tales of the Gold Monkey, and Diane Keaton’s wayward husband in the hit feature film, The First Wives Club, was perhaps best known for his role as wholesome pastor and dad Eric Camden on the WB series, 7th Heaven.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
The Trump administration is making a bold and principled attempt to restore these wayward bodies to the control of the executive branch.
—Robert J. Delahunty, National Review, 3 Mar. 2025
Even if Liverpool’s finishing has sometimes been wayward, their prowess has normally proven decisive.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Matt Gardner, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
The handsome actor who starred as Jake Cutter in ABC’s adventure series, Tales of the Gold Monkey, and Diane Keaton’s wayward husband in the hit feature film, The First Wives Club, was perhaps best known for his role as wholesome pastor and dad Eric Camden on the WB series, 7th Heaven.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
The Trump administration is making a bold and principled attempt to restore these wayward bodies to the control of the executive branch.
—Robert J. Delahunty, National Review, 3 Mar. 2025
Even if Liverpool’s finishing has sometimes been wayward, their prowess has normally proven decisive.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
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Stefani’s style influences and stage presence have long catered to a rebellious punk-forward aesthetic.—
WWD Staff,
WWD,
20 Mar. 2025
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Still retaining the playful, rebellious connotations of the first M.A.D. Editions, the new M.A.D. 2 has another spirit. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.—
Roberta Naas,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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One daughter, loving but stubborn, leaves for Vilna to study nursing.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2025
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The true top is still stubborn, though: In 2023 women made up just over 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs, 9% of the FTSE CEOs, and 5.4% of CEOs of the S&P Global Broad Market Index.—
Kweilin Ellingrud,
TIME,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Her character evolves throughout the series from a superficial adherent to the Capitol’s cruel system to a rebel sympathizer who comes to care deeply for Katniss and Peeta, representing the potential for change even among those benefiting from oppression. 10.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Mar. 2025
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In January, the conflict sharply escalated, as Rwandan troops and their M23 rebel allies took control of Bukavu and Goma, the biggest city in eastern Congo.—
Jason K. Stearns,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Their bleeding champion — at the time a former and future president — raises a defiant fist.—
John Scott Lewinski,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
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After being yelled at, children often feel defiant, defensive, and disconnected from their parent.—
Daryl Austin,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Airplanes have always been a hive of unruly behavior, but March has been a doozie.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
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Last week, about 1.6 unruly passengers were reported for every 10,000 flights.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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During his first term, Trump’s unconventional diplomacy with another recalcitrant nuclear power, North Korea, ultimately went nowhere, and overall his administration achieved few notable breakthroughs in dealing with adversarial powers.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Dec. 2024
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Bismarck had a reputation as a wily man who could potentially bring the recalcitrant Lower House to heel.—
Christine Adams / Made by History,
TIME,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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These fires and any new fires that ignite today can very quickly become uncontrollable.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a disorder where people have uncontrollable and recurring thoughts or repetitive behaviors, or both.—
Elizabeth Stanton,
Fox News,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The distinction between willful and non-willful noncompliance is crucial because willful violations carry substantially higher penalties and potential criminal liability.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D.,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Teixeira pleaded guilty last March to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act, following his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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