1 froward | Definition of froward
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

froward

adjective
fro·​ward | \ ˈfrō-(w)ərd How to pronounce froward (audio) \

Definition of froward

1 : habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
2 archaic : adverse
Other Words from froward Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about froward

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from froward

frowardly adverb
frowardness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for froward

Synonyms

bad, contrary, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, naughty

Antonyms

behaved, behaving, nice, orderly

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Did You Know?

Once upon a time, in the days of Middle English, froward and toward were opposites. Froward meant "moving or facing away from something or someone;" toward meant "moving or facing in the direction of something or someone." (The suffix -ward is from Old English -weard, meaning "moving, tending, facing.") Froward also meant "difficult to deal with, perverse"; toward meant "willing, compliant, obliging." Each went its own way in the end: froward lost its "away from" sense as long ago as the 16th century and the "willing" sense of toward disappeared in the 18th century. A third relative, untoward, developed in the 15th century as a synonym for froward in its "unruly or intractable" sense, and later developed other meanings, including "improper or indecorous."

Examples of froward in a Sentence

their froward pranks are not appropriate in the workplace froward students sent to the office for chronic disciplinary problems

First Known Use of froward

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for froward

Middle English, turned away, froward, from fro from + -ward -ward

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on froward

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for froward

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!