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
Examples 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
To counteract Bubble Butt's wayward flotation, the Florida facility's staff affixed 2 1/2 pounds of lead to his shell (a negligible addition for a reptile weighing more than 100 pounds).
—
Bill Chappell, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
Starliner seen docked at the International Space Station The wayward tale of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft and its return to Earth without its astronaut crew has been well reported since its launch in June.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024
But this wagtail was wayward, likely ending up Wisconsin after being blown off course in a storm or getting confused when migrating from Siberia.
—Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
Teams can automate workflows, adjust processes in real time and achieve greater efficiency without the threat of more sprawl or wayward applications that present security vulnerabilities.
—Ed Jennings, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wayward 
Bill Chappell, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
Starliner seen docked at the International Space Station The wayward tale of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft and its return to Earth without its astronaut crew has been well reported since its launch in June.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024
But this wagtail was wayward, likely ending up Wisconsin after being blown off course in a storm or getting confused when migrating from Siberia.
—Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
Teams can automate workflows, adjust processes in real time and achieve greater efficiency without the threat of more sprawl or wayward applications that present security vulnerabilities.
—Ed Jennings, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
-
Illiberal leaders select their cabinet members in the same way that emperors used to choose the governors of rebellious provinces: What matters most is the appointee’s loyalty and capacity to resist being suborned or co-opted by others.Ivan Krastev, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
-
The news is a huge deal because rebellious Prince Fiyero is the ultimate catch for the students and Galinda.Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The stubborn machine has won, and politicians are, for the most part, just fodder, which means that every politician who has to stand in front of a camera after a tragedy turns into another battle site in an endless culture war.Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025
-
Coaches will tell you of a character who could be grumpy or stubborn, but also of someone who needed faith shown in him.The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Our Most Popular Stories of 2024 The artifacts of ancient technologies, the allure of rebel science, and many, many ghosts.JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
-
The world has become a series of separate totalitarian quarantine zones and independent settlements, with a thriving black market and a rebel militia known as the Fireflies making life complicated for the survivors.Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Weakened, isolated but defiant: Hamas faces a crossroads with the cease-fire.Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
-
Yoon has remained defiant in the face of the investigations and an impeachment trial underway by one of the country’s highest courts.Gawon Bae, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Republicans are preparing to cut taxes, slash spending and slow immigration in a broad agenda that will require unifying an unruly party behind dozens of complicated policy choices.Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
-
In an interview with Bootleg Kev, the veteran lyricist recalled his adventures on the road with Pun and the Terror Squad, who were known for being unruly and willing to settle any altercation, physically or otherwise.Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Cartwright, both recalcitrant and cooperative countries have seen reductions in border encounters, regardless of deportation flights.Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
-
These are often referred to as recalcitrant countries.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The uncontrollable blaze, which continued to consume buildings, has wound up burning more than 11,000 acres between the two beach towns.Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
-
Despite a long and uncontrollable process of detaching herself from family, friends, and even her husband, she was told by doctors that everything was fine.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
After the March 19 incident, Huger, 61, was 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.Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
-
The boy’s parents also never made an official claim of willful misconduct or said the vaccine harmed their son, the justices noted.Katie Smith, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near wayward
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share