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
waywardly
adverb
waywardness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of wayward in a Sentence
parents of a wayward teenager
had always been the most wayward of their three children
Recent Examples on the Web
The other director’s note that kept him anchored to the spirit of a wayward teen?
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Fixing up any spots that might be leaking water, such as wayward pipes or wet fountains, will also reduce moisture in your garden, which will ward off gnats seeking egg-laying spots.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
In the near future of (checks notes) 2001, Brecken Meyer and some other wayward teens are menaced by Freddy Kruger.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024
No attorneys could cite an instance when a wayward wastewater operator ever faced the prospect of incarceration.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wayward 
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Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Fixing up any spots that might be leaking water, such as wayward pipes or wet fountains, will also reduce moisture in your garden, which will ward off gnats seeking egg-laying spots.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
In the near future of (checks notes) 2001, Brecken Meyer and some other wayward teens are menaced by Freddy Kruger.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024
No attorneys could cite an instance when a wayward wastewater operator ever faced the prospect of incarceration.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wayward
Dictionary Entries Near wayward
Cite this Entry
“Wayward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wayward. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wayward
adjective
way·ward
ˈwā-wərd 
1
: tending to do as one pleases : disobedient
wayward children
2
: not following a rule or regular course of action
waywardly
adverb
waywardness
noun
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