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
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Recent Examples of wayward
Booing in the National Women’s Soccer League and the Women’s Super League in the UK, for example, is more likely to be aimed at a referee’s wayward decision than an opponent.
—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Remove wayward stems and reduce the size as needed so the plant will complement the available growing space.
—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2026
The wayward trailer then struck the Ford F-150 pickup heading east and driven by Fiscus.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
On finding his magical hammer there he is given back his godly powers and returns to his home planet to protect it from an attack by his wayward brother, played by British actor Tom Hiddleston.
—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Remove wayward stems and reduce the size as needed so the plant will complement the available growing space.
—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2026
The wayward trailer then struck the Ford F-150 pickup heading east and driven by Fiscus.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
On finding his magical hammer there he is given back his godly powers and returns to his home planet to protect it from an attack by his wayward brother, played by British actor Tom Hiddleston.
—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
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For seven seasons, a hodgepodge crew mixing Starfleet and the rebellious Maquis put aside their differences after they got zapped 70,000 lightyears away from Earth, deep into the uncharted Delta Quadrant.
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This could bring about sudden ideas, or trigger rebellious impulses and creative imagination.
Adjective
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The weather service’s forecast discussion for Kansas City said the stubborn heat could last through the Fourth of July.
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Against all odds, the stubborn housing market has become a hotspot for young talent.
Adjective
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Starmer had previously vowed to stand in any formal Labour leadership race triggered by rebel lawmakers who feating a 2029 election wipeout sought to replace him.
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Many rebel groups are offshoots of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which had been fighting to overthrow the government since the 1960s and had been the country's largest guerrilla organization.
Adjective
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Several North Lake Tahoe beaches will be closed Saturday evening during the July 4 holiday due to what law enforcement officials described as unruly crowds of visiting teenagers.
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Britain, arguably, decided to cut its losses with the unruly thirteen colonies to better safeguard its more lucrative possessions in the Caribbean and South Asia.
Adjective
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Femi was defiant as he was interviewed in the ring following his victory.
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Laurie Whitwell Were South Africa unlucky after defiant defensive display?
Adjective
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Part of the problem is that, outside of their tenants’ pleas, landlords face neither any real pressure nor any legal requirement to install shutters and ceiling fans; even owners who want to do so are thwarted by recalcitrant co-op boards or finicky historic-preservation reviews.
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The patron saint of the 2024 Democratic National Convention was Fannie Lou Hamer—recalcitrant sharecropper turned agitator and, like the Democratic presidential nominee, a black woman.
Adjective
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The jealousy that emanates from every pore of this guy is uncontrollable.
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An uncontrollable laugh when tickled is vastly different from a polite laugh in a meeting, an infectious laugh during a movie, or a nervous little giggle after making a mistake.
Adjective
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In 2018, the IRS closed the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP), ending the formal disclosure program designed primarily for taxpayers with potential criminal exposure or willful violations relating to unreported offshore holdings.
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Federal law generally prohibits direct service connection for addiction classified as resulting from willful misconduct.
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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