Synonyms of wayward

wayward

adjective

ˈwā-wərd 

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

• rebellious
• rebel
• defiant
• stubborn
• willful
• unruly
• recalcitrant
• mischievous
• contrary
• disobedient
• naughty
• dogged
• obstreperous
• balky
• contumacious
• insubordinate
• restive
• rigid
• ungovernable
• intractable
• adamant
• refractory
• dissident
• wild
• untoward
• froward
• unrelenting
• bad
• recusant
• incompliant
• uncontrollable
• insurgent
• uncooperative
• resistant
• rude
• mutinous
• errant
• obstinate
• peevish
• headstrong
• noncooperative
• opinionated
• uncompromising
• obdurate
• implacable
• unmanageable
• mulish
• fractious
• negativistic
• monkeying
• unbending
• unyielding
• pertinacious
• wrongheaded
• undisciplined
• immovable
• hardheaded
• disorderly
• inflexible
• perverse
• adamantine
• impudent
• pigheaded
• disrespectful
• ornery
• self-willed
• insolent
• ungracious
• nonconformist
• uncouth
• inconsiderate
• misbehaving
• discourteous
• impertinent
• unmannerly
• uncivil
• impolite
• ill-mannered
• monkeyish
• ill-natured
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obedient
• docile
• amiable
• compliant
• submissive
• cooperative
• amenable
• tractable
• agreeable
• deferential
• acquiescent
• conformable
• yielding
• behaved
• biddable
• well-bred
• obliging
• disciplined
• respectful
• courteous
• proper
• polite
• ruly
• servile
• obsequious
• slavish
• subservient
• orderly
• decorous
• manageable
• controllable
• mannerly
• trainable
• kowtowing
• governable

2

as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others

an institution to which wayward teens were often sent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stubborn
• rebellious
• unruly
• recalcitrant
• uncontrollable
• unmanageable
• willful
• headstrong
• out of hand
• naughty
• ungovernable
• intractable
• refractory
• difficult
• untoward
• incontrollable
• incorrigible
• froward
• obstinate
• undisciplined
• intransigent
• wild
• obdurate
• mulish
• uncontrolled
• rambunctious
• irrepressible
• boisterous
• rowdy
• perverse
• contrary
• opinionated
• stiff
• hardheaded
• disobedient
• unpunished
• bullheaded
• pigheaded
• self-willed
• insubordinate
• stiff-necked
• indocile
• misbehaving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• manageable
• controllable
• obedient
• tractable
• docile
• compliant
• submissive
• well-behaved
• yielding
• governable
• willing
• pliable
• receptive
• accepting
• responsive
• reasonable
• placable
• temperate
• trainable
• persuadable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective wayward contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wayward are balky, contrary, perverse, and restive. While all these words mean "inclined to resist authority or control," wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

a school for wayward youths

When can balky be used instead of wayward?

The synonyms balky and wayward are sometimes interchangeable, but balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.

a balky witness

When would contrary be a good substitute for wayward?

The meanings of contrary and wayward largely overlap; however, contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

a contrary child

When might perverse be a better fit than wayward?

While the synonyms perverse and wayward are close in meaning, perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.

a perverse, intractable critic

In what contexts can restive take the place of wayward?

The words restive and wayward are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.

tired soldiers growing restive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wayward

Of course the playwright has prepared the way, but the wayward emotions emanating from these inwardly glowing performances are refreshing in work that has the crisp, circumscribed elegance of a mathematical proof. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Although the story of Odysseus binding himself to the mast to resist the Sirens’ song may belong to the mythical imagination, plenty of desperate souls have gone to heroic lengths to obstruct their wayward desires. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

The slight downbeat in 2019-20 can be blamed on luck, although a wayward 20 minutes with James Neal didn’t help. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Her task is to spy on Victoria’s wayward grandson who keeps disappearing at night. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026