wanton

¹wan·ton

adj \ˈwȯn-t^ən, ˈwän-\

Definition of WANTON

1

a archaic : hard to control : undisciplined, unruly b : playfully mean or cruel : mischievous

2

a : lewd, bawdy b : causing sexual excitement : lustful, sensual

3

a : merciless, inhumane <wanton cruelty> b : having no just foundation or provocation : malicious <a wanton attack>

4

: being without check or limitation: as a : luxuriantly rank <wanton vegetation> b : unduly lavish : extravagant <wanton imagination>

— wan·ton·ly adverb

— wan·ton·ness \-t^ən-nəs\ noun

Examples of WANTON

1. Vandals were guilty of the wanton destruction of the school property.
2. They were accused of wanton cruelty toward animals.
3. He showed a wanton disregard for his friend's feelings.
4. a life of wanton luxury
5. No artist should be subjected to this much wanton affection: it's unseemly, like being hugged by a stranger who won't let go. —James Wolcott, New Republic, 30 Aug. 2004
6. I also wrote that innocent people would die as a consequence of the wanton, lawless destruction of medical stocks in a dirt-poor country. —Christopher Hitchens, Nation, 31 May 1999
7. While I was happy to find Mr. Pollan firmly allied with those of us who oppose the wanton broadcast of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers on lawn and garden, I wish he had lingered a little longer over this vital subject. —Maxine Kumin, New York Times Book Review, 9 June 1991

Origin of WANTON

Middle English, from wan- deficient, wrong, mis- (from Old English, from wan deficient) + towen, past participle of teen to draw, train, discipline, from Old English tēon — more at tow

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to WANTON

Synonyms: bawdy, blue, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, gutter, impure, indecent, lascivious, lewd, locker-room, nasty, pornographic, porny, profane, raunchy, ribald, smutty, stag, trashy, unprintable, vulgar, obscene, X-rated

Antonyms: clean, decent, G-rated, nonobscene, wholesome

Related Words: broad, coarse-grained, gamy (or gamey), off, off-color (or off-colored), racy, risqué, salacious, salty, suggestive; barnyard, earthy, scatological; immodest, indecorous, indelicate, low, unbecoming; depraved, kinky, louche, naughty, perverse, perverted, wicked; exceptionable, objectionable, unacceptable, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome; abhorrent, debasing, disgusting, loathsome, offensive, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting; distasteful, obnoxious, unpleasant; blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible; atrocious, infamous; abusive, scurrilous; hard-core, soft, soft-core

Near Antonyms: priggish, prim, prudish, puritanical, staid, straitlaced (or straightlaced), Victorian; correct, decorous, genteel, nice, polite, proper, respectable, seemly; innocuous, inoffensive; acceptable, agreeable, desirable, pleasant, pleasing, welcome; appropriate, becoming, fit, meet, suitable; immaculate, perfect, pure, spotless, virginal; approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned

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