waywardness
Translation
willfulness, capriciousness, unpredictability
Examples
Her waywardness caused her parents much concern.
Her waywardness caused her parents much concern.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.'s)) waywardness the quality of being difficult to control Her waywardness caused her parents much concern.
Similar Words
Synonyms: rebelliousness, obstinacy, capriciousness; Antonyms: obedience, compliance
Etymology
From the adjective 'wayward' plus the suffix '-ness' to form a noun. 'Wayward' itself comes from 'away' + '-ward', meaning turning away from the correct path.
Memory Tips
Think of someone going 'away' from the expected 'ward' (direction). Their quality ('-ness') of doing so is 'waywardness'.