Synonyms for froward
- adjective
Most common
All synonyms
Adjective
1. Perverse — disobedient, contrary, unmanageable; difficult to deal with; with an evil disposition
perverse, disobedient, self-willed, naughty, obstinate, headstrong, willful US, wilful UK, wayward, contrary, untoward, unruly, contumacious, sullen, unyielding
Other
Definitions
- adj. 1
Disobedient, contrary, unmanageable; difficult to deal with; with an evil disposition.
Choose the right word
Wayward refers to a perverse disregard of morality and duty; froward is practically obsolete; untoward is rarely heard except in certain phrases; as, untoward circumstances.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- perverse Layla was victim to Sami's every perverse whim.
- obstinate I've heard that Tom and Mary are quite obstinate.
- disobedient Disobedient boys can not be happy in this world.
- thwart A moat was dug around the castle to thwart attackers.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| froward | steady | |
| perverse | rising | |
| obstinate | steady | |
| disobedient | rising | |
| thwart | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 6 letters
- unruly3, thwart1, wilful, sullen2
- 7 letters
- naughty2, willful2, wayward2
- 8 letters
- contrary3, perverse2, untoward3
- 9 letters
- obstinate3
- 10 letters
- headstrong2, unyielding3
- 11 letters
- disobedient5
- 12 letters
- contumacious
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (unruly3 = 3 syllables).