wayward
way·ward
adj \ˈwā-wərd\Definition of WAYWARD
1
: following one's own capricious, wanton, or depraved inclinations : ungovernable <a wayward child>
2
: following no clear principle or law : unpredictable
3
: opposite to what is desired or expected : untoward <wayward fate>
— way·ward·ly adverb
— way·ward·ness noun
See Examples of WAYWARD
- parents of a wayward teenager
- <had always been the most wayward of their three children>
Origin of WAYWARD
Middle English, short for awayward turned away, from away, adverb + -ward
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to WAYWARD
Synonyms: balky, contrary, contumacious, defiant, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, recusant, refractory, restive, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, disobedient, willful (or wilful)
Related Words: noncooperative, uncooperative; insurgent, mutinous; adamant, adamantine, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, negativistic, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding; fractious, restive, uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild; perverse, resistant, wrongheaded; bad, disorderly, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, monkeying, monkeyish, naughty; undisciplined; dissident, nonconformist; discourteous, disrespectful, ill-bred, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impertinent, impolite, impudent, inconsiderate, insolent, ornery, rude, uncivil, uncouth, ungracious, unmannerly
Near Antonyms: acquiescent, agreeable, amiable, cooperative, deferential, obliging; yielding; behaved, disciplined, well-bred; courteous, polite, respectful; kowtowing, obsequious, servile, slavish, subservient; decorous, mannerly, orderly, proper; controllable, governable, manageable, trainable
See Synonym Discussion at contrary
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