wanton

[ won-tn ]

adjective

1. done, shown, used, etc., maliciously or unjustifiably:

   a wanton attack; wanton cruelty.

   Synonyms: malicious

2. deliberate and without motive or provocation; uncalled-for; headstrong; willful:

   Why jeopardize your career in such a wanton way?

   Synonyms: calculated

3. without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.; careless; reckless:

   a wanton attacker of religious convictions.

   Synonyms: inconsiderate, heedless

   Antonyms: considerate, careful

4. sexually lawless or unrestrained; loose; lascivious; lewd:

   wanton behavior.

   Synonyms: lustful, concupiscent, libidinous, immoral, dissolute, licentious

   Antonyms: restrained

5. extravagantly or excessively luxurious, as a person, manner of living, or style.

   Synonyms: lavish

   Antonyms: restrained

6. luxuriant, as vegetation.
7. Archaic.
   1. sportive or frolicsome, as children or young animals.
   2. having free play:

      wanton breezes; a wanton brook.

noun

1. a wanton or lascivious person, especially a woman.

verb (used without object)

1. to behave in a wanton manner; become wanton.

verb (used with object)

1. to squander, especially in pleasure (often followed by away ):

   to wanton away one's inheritance.

   Synonyms: waste

wanton

/ ˈwɒntən /

adjective

1. dissolute, licentious, or immoral
2. without motive, provocation, or justification

   wanton destruction

3. maliciously and unnecessarily cruel or destructive
4. unrestrained

   wanton spending

5. archaic.
   playful or capricious
6. archaic.
   (of vegetation, etc) luxuriant or superabundant

noun

1. a licentious person, esp a woman
2. a playful or capricious person

verb

1. intr to behave in a wanton manner
2. tr to squander or waste

Derived Forms

• ˈwantonness, noun
• ˈwantonly, adverb

Other Words From

• wan·ton·ly adverb
• wan·ton·ness noun
• un·wan·ton adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wanton¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English wantowen, literally, “undisciplined, ill-reared,” Old English wan- “not” + togen, past participle of tēon “to discipline, rear,” cognate with German ziehen, Latin dūcere “to lead”; akin to tow ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of wanton¹

C13 wantowen (in the obsolete sense: unmanageable, unruly): from wan- (prefix equivalent to un- ¹; related to Old English wanian to wane ) + -towen, from Old English togen brought up, from tēon to bring up

Example Sentences

Ecocide is defined by experts as a "wanton" act of destruction, carried out with "reckless disregard for damage which would be clearly excessive in relation to the social and economic benefits anticipated."

From Salon

He was previously tried by a Kentucky state jury in March 2022, and acquitted on three counts of felony wanton endangerment.

From BBC

But because the delays and discharges occurred in an area of the hospital classified as an emergency room, lawyers said that Texas law set a much higher burden of proof: “willful and wanton negligence.”

From Salon

This was a deliberate and wanton slaughter of civilians.

From Los Angeles Times

Predictably, the mainstream news media, pundits and responsible political watchers stood aghast at Trump’s celebration of wanton violence.

From Salon

Related Words

• arbitrary
• gratuitous
• needless
• senseless
• unjust
• unjustifiable
• unjustified
• unprovoked
• vicious
• willful