wayward
Someone who is wayward does not obey rules and is hard to manage.
(Especially of a child or young person) difficult to control because they do not follow rules or advice.
If something is wayward, it changes in an unexpected way and is hard to control.
Unpredictable and changeable in a way that is difficult to manage or rely on.
Something wayward goes away from the planned or correct direction.
Deviating from the expected, planned, or correct course or direction.
A wayward husband or wife has been unfaithful.
(Especially in the phrase wayward husband/wife) having sexual or romantic relationships outside a committed partnership.
- Base: wayward
wayward child
1disobedient child
A child who does not behave well and is hard to manage.
- The program offers mentoring for wayward children.
- She raised three kids, including one wayward child who later settled down.
- He was a wayward child.
wayward son
1disobedient or straying son
A son who does not follow rules or who has gone in a bad direction in life.
- After years away, the wayward son returned home to make amends.
- The story follows a wayward son trying to rebuild his relationship with his father.
- He was the wayward son of the family.
wayward spouse
1unfaithful partner
A husband or wife who has had another relationship.
- Friends urged her to leave her wayward spouse.
- The article discussed counseling options for couples after a wayward spouse admits an affair.
wayward youth
1troubled young person
A young person who often behaves badly or gets into trouble.
- The charity supports wayward youth through counseling and job training.
- He worked as a social worker with wayward youth in the city.
- The center helps wayward youth.