If you describe a person or their behaviour as wayward, you mean that they behave in a selfish, bad, or unpredictable way, and are difficult to control.
...wayward children with a history of severe emotional problems.
Synonyms: erratic, unruly, wilful, unmanageable More Synonyms of wayward
waywardnessuncountable noun [oft with poss]
...the curiosity, caprice and waywardness of children.
wayward in British English
(ˈweɪwəd)
adjective
1.
wanting to have one's own way regardless of the wishes or good of others
2.
capricious, erratic, or unpredictable
Derived forms
waywardly (ˈwaywardly)
adverb
waywardness (ˈwaywardness)
noun
Word origin
C14: changed from awayward turned or turning away
wayward in American English
(ˈweɪwərd)
adjective
1.
insistent upon having one's own way, contrary to others' advice, wishes, or orders; headstrong, willful, disobedient, delinquent, etc.
2.
conforming to no fixed rule or pattern; unpredictable; irregular; capricious; erratic
3. Archaic
unwanted or unexpected
wayward fate
Derived forms
waywardly (ˈwaywardly)
adverb
waywardness (ˈwaywardness)
noun
Word origin
ME weiward, aphetic for aweiward: see away & -ward
Examples of 'wayward' in a sentence
wayward
The gifted midfielder admits his wayward behaviour could have wrecked his career.
The Sun (2012)
Worked hard too but passing was wayward.
The Sun (2012)
He collapsed last week as the pressure of looking after his wayward daughter finally took its toll.
The Sun (2008)
His wayward behaviour became part of theatrical lore.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There were too many wayward passes and precious little quality.
The Sun (2010)
His shot was wayward after he ran half the length of the field completely unchallenged.
The Sun (2008)
All the issues emerge as they try to trace the missing wayward daughter of a corrupt local politician.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The unexpected arrival on the scene of a suitor for his wayward daughter had therefore presented a very real threat.
Julia Keay ALEXANDER THE CORRECTOR (2004)
Suddenly, the wayward twin brother of the dead cleric strides in.
The Sun (2008)
Oak and beech trees line many of the fairways, waiting to punish wayward drives.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He is sitting in an armchair in his bungalow being interviewed about a murder that may or may not involve his wayward son.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Both are notable more for their wayward behaviour in Hollywood nightclubs than for their political acumen.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quietly efficient, but passing wayward at times.
The Sun (2013)
But a wayward drive out of bounds at the 16th cost Grace a double bogey.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
wayward
British English: wayward ADJECTIVE
If you describe a person or their behaviour as wayward, you mean that they behave in a selfish, bad, or unpredictable way, and are difficult to control.
...wayward children with a history of severe emotional problems.
American English: wayward
Brazilian Portuguese: voluntarioso
Chinese: 任性的
European Spanish: caprichoso
French: rebelle
German: eigensinnig
Italian: difficile
Japanese: 気まぐれな
Korean: 제멋대로인
European Portuguese: voluntarioso
Latin American Spanish: caprichoso
(adjective)
Definition
erratic, selfish, or stubborn
wayward children with a history of behavioural problems
Synonyms
erratic
the erratic nature of our recent weather
unruly
It's not good enough just to blame the unruly children.
wilful
a selfish and wilful congressman
unmanageable
The signs are that indulged children tend to become unmanageable.
disobedient
Her tone was that of a parent ordering a disobedient child.
contrary
Why must you always be so contrary?
unpredictable
Britain's notoriously unpredictable weather
stubborn
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
perverse
You're just being perverse.
rebellious
a rebellious teenager
fickle
They are fickle, faithless and lewd.
intractable
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
capricious
obstinate
He is obstinate and determined and will not give up.
headstrong
He's very headstrong, but he's a good man underneath.
changeable
He was a man of changeable moods.
The forecast is for changeable weather.
flighty
incorrigible
obdurate
The administration have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.
ungovernable
self-willed
He was very independent and self-willed.
refractory
refractory priests who tried to side with the king
insubordinate
Workers who are grossly insubordinate are threatened with discharge.
undependable
inconstant
mulish
He had a flushed, mulish look on his heavy face.
cross-grained
contumacious (literary)
froward (archaic)
Opposites
reliable
,
obliging
,
predictable
,
manageable
,
dependable
,
obedient
,
compliant
,
submissive
,
malleable
,
good-natured
,
tractable
,
complaisant
Additional synonyms
in the sense of changeable
Definition
changing often
He was a man of changeable moods.The forecast is for changeable weather.
Synonyms
variable,
shifting,
mobile,
uncertain,
volatile,
unsettled,
unpredictable,
versatile,
unstable,
irregular,
erratic,
wavering,
uneven,
unreliable,
fickle,
temperamental,
whimsical,
mercurial,
capricious,
unsteady,
protean,
vacillating,
fitful,
mutable,
labile,
inconstant,
changeful,
fluid
in the sense of contrary
Definition
perverse
Why must you always be so contrary?
Synonyms
perverse,
difficult,
awkward,
wayward,
intractable,
wilful,
obstinate,
cussed (informal),
stroppy (British, slang),
cantankerous,
disobliging,
balky,
unaccommodating,
froward (archaic),
thrawn (Scottish, NorthernEngland, dialect),
hostile,
antagonistic,
arsey (British, Australian, New Zealand, slang)
in the sense of contumacious
Synonyms
obstinate,
stubborn,
perverse,
rebellious,
intractable,
recalcitrant,
haughty,
intransigent,
headstrong,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
disobedient,
refractory,
pig-headed,
insubordinate
Synonyms of 'wayward'
wayward
Explore 'wayward' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disobedient
Definition
refusing to obey
Her tone was that of a parent ordering a disobedient child.
Synonyms
defiant,
disorderly,
contrary,
naughty,
wayward,
mischievous,
unruly,
intractable,
wilful,
undisciplined,
refractory,
obstreperous,
insubordinate,
noncompliant,
contumacious,
froward (archaic),
nonobservant
in the sense of fickle
Definition
changeable in purpose, affections, etc.
They are fickle, faithless and lewd.
Synonyms
capricious,
variable,
volatile,
unpredictable,
unstable,
unfaithful,
temperamental,
mercurial,
unsteady,
faithless,
changeable,
quicksilver,
vacillating,
fitful,
flighty,
blowing hot and cold,
mutable,
irresolute,
inconstant
in the sense of headstrong
Definition
determined to do something in one's own way and ignoring the advice of others
He's very headstrong, but he's a good man underneath.
Synonyms
stubborn,
wilful,
obstinate,
contrary,
perverse,
unruly,
intractable,
stiff-necked,
ungovernable,
self-willed,
pig-headed,
mulish,
froward (archaic)
in the sense of insubordinate
Definition
not submissive to authority
Workers who are grossly insubordinate are threatened with discharge.
Synonyms
disobedient,
defiant,
rebellious,
disorderly,
turbulent,
unruly,
insurgent,
recalcitrant,
fractious,
riotous,
undisciplined,
seditious,
mutinous,
ungovernable,
refractory,
contumacious (literary)
in the sense of intractable
Definition
(of a person) difficult to influence or direct
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
Synonyms
difficult,
contrary,
awkward,
wild,
stubborn,
perverse,
wayward,
unruly,
uncontrollable,
wilful,
incurable,
fractious,
unyielding,
obstinate,
intransigent,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
undisciplined,
cantankerous,
unbending,
obdurate,
uncooperative,
stiff-necked,
ungovernable,
self-willed,
refractory,
obstreperous,
pig-headed,
bull-headed
in the sense of mulish
Definition
stubborn
He had a flushed, mulish look on his heavy face.
Synonyms
stubborn,
difficult,
rigid,
unreasonable,
perverse,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
recalcitrant,
obstinate,
intransigent,
headstrong,
stiff-necked,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
cross-grained
in the sense of obdurate
Definition
not to be persuaded
The administration have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.
Synonyms
obstinate,
firm,
dogged,
determined,
fixed,
iron,
persistent,
relentless,
adamant,
stubborn,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
unrelenting,
tenacious,
inexorable,
implacable,
steadfast,
unyielding,
intransigent,
immovable,
headstrong,
strong-minded,
unbending,
stiff-necked,
unshakeable or unshakable,
refractory,
pig-headed,
mulish,
contumacious (literary),
pertinacious,
indurate (rare),
proof against persuasion,
unimpressible
in the sense of obstinate
Definition
keeping stubbornly to a particular opinion or course of action
He is obstinate and determined and will not give up.
Synonyms
stubborn,
dogged,
determined,
persistent,
firm,
perverse,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
tenacious,
recalcitrant,
steadfast,
unyielding,
opinionated,
intransigent,
immovable,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
cussed,
strong-minded,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
unshakable,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
mulish,
contumacious,
pertinacious
in the sense of perverse
Definition
wayward or contrary
You're just being perverse.
Synonyms
stubborn,
contrary,
unreasonable,
dogged,
contradictory,
troublesome,
rebellious,
wayward,
delinquent,
intractable,
wilful,
unyielding,
obstinate,
intransigent,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
cussed (informal),
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
disobedient,
wrong-headed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
miscreant,
mulish,
cross-grained,
contumacious
in the sense of rebellious
Definition
rebelling or showing a tendency towards rebellion
a rebellious teenager
Synonyms
defiant,
difficult,
resistant,
intractable,
recalcitrant,
obstinate,
unmanageable,
incorrigible,
refractory,
contumacious (literary)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of refractory
Definition
stubborn or rebellious
refractory priests who tried to side with the king
Synonyms
unmanageable,
difficult,
stubborn,
contentious,
perverse,
unruly,
uncontrollable,
intractable,
wilful,
recalcitrant,
obstinate,
headstrong,
cantankerous,
uncooperative,
stiff-necked,
disobedient,
disputatious,
mulish,
contumacious (literary)
in the sense of self-willed
Definition
stubbornly determined to have one's own way, esp. at the expense of others
He was very independent and self-willed.
Synonyms
stubborn,
wilful,
headstrong,
intractable,
opinionated,
obstinate,
cussed (informal),
stiff-necked,
ungovernable,
refractory,
pig-headed,
stubborn as a mule
in the sense of stubborn
Definition
persistent and determined
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
Synonyms
obstinate,
dogged,
inflexible,
fixed,
persistent,
intractable,
wilful,
tenacious,
recalcitrant,
unyielding,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
unshakeable,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
mulish,
cross-grained,
contumacious
in the sense of unmanageable
Definition
difficult to use, deal with, or control, esp. because it is too big
The signs are that indulged children tend to become unmanageable.
Synonyms
uncontrollable,
difficult,
wild,
out of hand,
disruptive,
unruly,
troublesome,
intractable,
boisterous,
fractious,
undisciplined,
stroppy (British, slang),
incorrigible,
refractory,
obstreperous
in the sense of unpredictable
Definition
not easy to predict or foresee
Britain's notoriously unpredictable weather
Synonyms
extraordinary,
erratic,
changeable,
variable,
chance,
random,
doubtful,
unstable,
unreliable,
fickle,
hit-and-miss (informal),
iffy (informal),
hit-or-miss (informal),
inconstant,
unforeseeable,
fluky (informal),
scattershot
in the sense of unruly
Definition
difficult to control or organize
It's not good enough just to blame the unruly children.