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
But in the 25th minute, the Blades went ahead when Gustavo Hamer poached the ball from a wayward Sunderland corner, scampered upfield and found Campbell who chipped the ball into the net.
—
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Whale advocates worried the wayward whales might linger too long in the much warmer Gulf of America, formerly called the Gulf of Mexico.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Whale advocates worried the wayward whales might linger too long in the much warmer Gulf of America, formerly called the Gulf of Mexico.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
-
Many historians estimate that at least 15 to 20 percent of the population remained loyal to the crown, some even taking up arms against their rebellious neighbors and fighting alongside the British.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
-
Inspired by 1953’s The Wild One starring Marlon Brando, the song and video captures the rebellious spirit of the cult classic, with scenes of a motorcycle being driven on an open road and birds in flight.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Their relationship can be difficult as AM is stubborn and likes to have her way always.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Some of these infections stop on their own, but others are too stubborn, or too serious, to leave untreated.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Yet none of this has dampened Mr. Trump’s enthusiasm for bringing U.S. influence to bear in trying to end the rebel incursion – in part because the fighting has affected a region that holds some of Congo’s main rare earth deposits.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 June 2025
-
The government in Colombia has struggled to contain violence as rebel groups try to take over territory abandoned by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia following its peace deal with the government.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Kim Kardashian made a defiant walk into Paris' Palace of Justice in May, to face the criminals who held the reality star at gunpoint and robbed in 2016.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
-
In an era defined by digital speed, algorithmic curation, and disposable listening, Gearbox Records has carved out a defiant space for intentionality, sonic depth, and analog fidelity.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
About 150 people have been arrested at the protests, which have included flareups of unruly clashes, vandalism and looting, but have remained limited to a few blocks in the city's downtown area.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
12 June 2025
-
This top detangling brush is suitable for every hair texture, from tight coils to super straight hair types, as its innovative design effortlessly and thoroughly combs through all kinds of unruly strands.—
Olivia Cigliano,
Footwear News,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
In response, these recalcitrant members of Congress simply refused to adopt must-pass federal reapportionment legislation.—
Made by History,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Among Congressional Republicans, Paul has been more recalcitrant than most.—
Eric Cortellessa,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes uncontrollable hair loss on the scalp, face, and body.—
Shamsha Damani,
Health,
13 June 2025
-
The laptop soon started doing the same thing as the other machine – with the uncontrollable cursor.—
Scott Kramer,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Accreditors must put an end to schools’ willful ignorance of employment outcomes.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
Chief among them was immigration, after nearly four years of willful neglect at the border had left the party’s reputation in tatters.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share