Frowardness

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The characteristic of being uncooperative or contrary exemplifies a disposition that resists compliance and embraces obstinacy
2. A nature defined by an unwillingness to conform or adhere to guidance highlights a tendency towards stubbornness and defiance
3. A trait marked by a refusal to comply and a predilection for oppositional behavior reveals a consistent inclination towards obstinacy and resistance

Etymology: "Frowardness" is simply the noun form of "froward," with the suffix "-ness" attached. That suffix is one of English's oldest and most productive noun-makers, and it has been used to form nouns from adjectives since Old English, so "frowardness" follows the same pattern as "kindness" or "goodness." The base word "froward" reaches back to Old English "fromweard," built from "from" in the sense of "away from, forward" and the suffix "-weard," meaning "turned toward." Its original sense was therefore close to "turned away" or "moving away from" a direction, and "froward" came to mean stubbornly turned against what others wanted. The noun "frowardness" carries that same contrary, unyielding quality as a state or habit, describing someone who refuses to cooperate or give way.

Synonyms: perversity, obstinacy, disobedience, willfulness

Antonyms: obedience, compliance, submissiveness