Waywardness

Waywardness is the quality of behaving in an erratic, unpredictable, and often willful manner. It implies a deviation from the expected, proper, or intended course of action or behavior. This characteristic often involves a lack of discipline, a tendency to disobey rules or guidance, and a preference for independent, sometimes impulsive, choices. It can manifest in various forms, from a child's rebellious behavior to an adult's inconsistent decisions or a nation's unpredictable foreign policy. Essentially, waywardness highlights a lack of adherence to established norms, making outcomes difficult to foresee and manage. It is a departure from the established norms or expected behaviors.

Waywardness meaning with examples

• The teenager's waywardness, fueled by a desire for independence, caused constant conflicts with her parents. Her refusal to follow curfew, coupled with poor grades, led to tense household situations. She often dismissed their advice, insisting on making her own decisions regardless of the consequences. Her path became a complex dance of rebellion and self-discovery as she navigated the challenges of adolescence.
• The company's waywardness in its financial dealings raised serious concerns among investors. Frequent policy changes without transparency made it difficult to evaluate the company's long-term stability. Its management team's erratic decisions often contradicted the company's publicly stated goals, leading to a decline in shareholder confidence, and increasing the risk of a market downturn.
• The politician’s waywardness in his public statements made him unpopular. His inconsistent positions on key issues baffled constituents and eroded his credibility. His tendency to make impulsive remarks, often contradicting his own past statements, caused frequent controversies, damaging his reputation and complicating his re-election prospects.
• The nation's waywardness in its approach to international diplomacy strained relationships with its allies. Its unpredictable shifts in policy, often without prior consultation, generated mistrust and made it difficult to achieve collaborative solutions. Its refusal to abide by international norms created instability and hindered its ability to gain influence on the global stage.