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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wayward
By this point, there’s no need to rehash its difficult production: What matters is what’s on the screen, a tale of how a wayward son (Al Pacino) discovers that his mild refutations of his family’s dark business are ultimately just talk.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
His influence, particularly among wayward young men, is outsized, as video platforms like TikTok ballooned in uses and hours spent on site over the past several years.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
And so this novel, finally too pleasing and affirming for readers who are rightly worried about political violence and radicalized youth, ends with a dignified old man envisioning a stable, cosmopolitan future for a wayward young girl.
—Randy Boyagoda, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
His influence, particularly among wayward young men, is outsized, as video platforms like TikTok ballooned in uses and hours spent on site over the past several years.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
And so this novel, finally too pleasing and affirming for readers who are rightly worried about political violence and radicalized youth, ends with a dignified old man envisioning a stable, cosmopolitan future for a wayward young girl.
—Randy Boyagoda, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for wayward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wayward
Adjective
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And if his readership remained informed on his doings, the prince and his supporters didn’t succeed in silencing him and the rest of the rebellious faction.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
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Wearing cowboy boots with shorts is not only a bold stylistic choice but also a practical way to dress for warm weather without giving up the rustic and rebellious touch that the boots bring.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Happy Birthday for Saturday, March 29, 2025: You are opinionated and stubborn.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Described by family as larger-than-life in personality and stature, the 6-foot-5-inch Wesley is remembered as a jovial, fiercely stubborn man with a quick wit and passion for advocacy.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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President Trump’s military and intelligence leaders inadvertently shared classified military information on a Houthi rebel attack with a magazine editor which was published online.—
Rick Pozniak,
Boston Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
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In the fresh extended footage shown, DiCaprio’s former yippie Bob is seen negotiating with a difficult underground rebel contact who knows the whereabouts of his daughter (played by Chase Infiniti).—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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More: China defiant, accuses Trump of 'blackmail' over 104% tariff threat: Live updates On Monday, Trump described similar negotiations underway with Japan as world leaders try to convince the U.S. president to roll back his new tariffs on all imports.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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What To Know Trump has remained defiant despite mounting fears of recession and a plunging stock market.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Cops have unmasked some of the unruly mob at a crazed Queens car meetup that left three NYPD vehicles vandalized, police said Friday.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2025
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While reports of unruly riding is citywide, one area that has seen a lot of issues is in the Top of the World neighborhood, near the trailhead for the Woods Canyon Wilderness Park, officials said.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For recalcitrant teams, Scherzer would also remove the runner who automatically starts each inning after the ninth in scoring position on second base, creating a significant handicap.—
Bruce Schoenfeld Robert Fass Tanya Pérez Brian St. Pierre,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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Milla — a young woman who feels disillusioned by doctors that treat her like a recalcitrant child, directing even conversations about her treatment to her father instead of her — finds false security in quacks selling enemas and juice cleanses.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Common Mental Health Conditions in Men Depression Depression causes disruptive, uncontrollable feelings of sadness and emptiness.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2025
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Already, we are haunted by the specters of nuclear warfare and uncontrollable climate change.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The willful reluctance of Western policymakers to recognize the importance of cognitive warfare carries the risk of irreversible losses in power and influence worldwide, the key factors that determine strategic outcomes in global competition.—
Michael Miklaucic,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
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The benefit of that confusion, if there can be any, is that the penalty regime in the Corporate Transparency Act itself only applies to willful behavior.—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wayward. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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