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
Glass is a human invention, and its breakage is inevitably associated with human violence or a human accident: a burglar’s incursion, a child’s wayward baseball, a pogrom.
—
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Yet by Holly Jackson A famed Y.A. author’s first foray into adult fiction centers on Jet Mason, the wayward daughter of a wealthy Vermont family.
—Laura Thompson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Kiki, if your type is less billionaire men and more wayward young women, save us all some time and just say so.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
Too often, some of the harsher realities of incarceration appear glossed over, in a space that’s sometimes awkwardly visualized as more of a group home for wayward bohemians and vagabonds.
—David Katz, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Yet by Holly Jackson A famed Y.A. author’s first foray into adult fiction centers on Jet Mason, the wayward daughter of a wealthy Vermont family.
—Laura Thompson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Kiki, if your type is less billionaire men and more wayward young women, save us all some time and just say so.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
Too often, some of the harsher realities of incarceration appear glossed over, in a space that’s sometimes awkwardly visualized as more of a group home for wayward bohemians and vagabonds.
—David Katz, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
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These two regions are no longer promising New World upstarts or rebellious outposts of Bordeaux.—
Jessica Dupuy,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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Meanwhile, Paul finds himself in a work crisis that puts the lifestyle of Julie and their rebellious son Russ (Simon Webster) in jeopardy, leading Julie back to the dopey sweetness of Carey.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Jet fuel rolled down the street and the smell of it lingered in the air while authorities worked to extinguish one stubborn car fire that sent smoke billowing up.—
John Hanna,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
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Of course, stubborn coach Tom Thibodeau went with his only play, a Jalen Brunson iso, while the starters huffed and puffed from playing nearly the entire game.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
22 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
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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
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Bowser’s shifting response on immigration matters is one of a number of ways the mayor, a leading figure in the Democratic resistance during Trump’s first term, is now striking a less defiant tone.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
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Moxley took out Nightingale to massive heat, and Omega hit a snap-dragon suplex on a defiant Marina Shafir.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), there was one unruly passenger reported for every 568 flights in 2022 — up from one per 835 flights in 2021.—
Isabelle Rodney,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
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Related Articles Throngs of people formed an unruly line outside, possibly leading passerby to believe the legendary warehouse sale had somehow been revived.—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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In response, these recalcitrant members of Congress simply refused to adopt must-pass federal reapportionment legislation.—
Made by History,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
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Among Congressional Republicans, Paul has been more recalcitrant than most.—
Eric Cortellessa,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Entire neighborhoods are retrofitted with clear glass domes that activate during extreme rainstorms and uncontrollable wildfires.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 3 Jun. 2025.
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