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froward

froward

1 9.9
A person who often refuses to obey and is difficult to manage
  • adjective
  • /ˈfroʊərd/
  • Archaic
translation icon : rebelde

Examples

  • I look froward to him proving you wrong I anticipate it keenly.

  • According to Patrick Collinson, John Whitgift, who rose to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury in 1583, began to emerge as the hand-picked general in a merciless war against the forward but often froward preaching ministry.

    Academic text (2018)
  • The child's froward behavior made it difficult for the teacher to keep the class in order.

  • Her froward attitude during the meeting frustrated her colleagues, making it hard to reach an agreement.

  • Despite attempts to reason with him, his froward nature always led him to oppose any suggestions.

Synonyms

unruly
vsfroward
41 4.3

Difficult to control and messy or noisy

is about deliberate, lasting opposition rather than simple disorderliness
willful
vsfroward
  • US
26 5.5

Deliberately refusing to follow rules or instructions out of stubbornness

is older, used for constant contrary behavior rather than single acts
headstrong
vsfroward
18 4.1

Someone who wants to do things their own way and refuses advice

is an archaic label for habitual disobedience rather than forceful determination
contrary
vsfroward
14 5.4

Deliberately refusing to do what others want

is an older term for lasting disobedience and being difficult to deal with
obstreperous
vsfroward
3 9.9

Very noisy and hard to control, like a loud crowd

is about steady disobedience and difficulty rather than noisy unruliness
self-willed
vsfroward
1 7.3

A person who insists on doing what they want and often disobeys others

is more archaic, describing habitual stubborn disobedience rather than mere determination
bolshie
vsfroward
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Unwilling to cooperate and often challenging authority

is an archaic descriptor for habitual contrariness rather than modern slangy tone
bloody-minded
vsfroward
  • Offensive
9.1

Refuses to cooperate to cause trouble

is an older term for being contrary in general, not only spiteful obstruction

Antonyms

45 1.0

Willing to do what someone in charge tells you

31 5.1

Willing to follow rules or do what other people want

How Contrary

recalcitrant
  • Formal
11 8.1
froward
  • Archaic
1 9.9
obstinate
16 7.5
uncooperative
22 4.5
difficult
386 2.1
contrary
183 4.5

Surface Forms

froward positive

Etymology

Froward once meant someone who 'turned the wrong way', and a helpful way to remember it is to think of a person who always frowns and goes against others. So a froward person is habitually disobedient and contrary.