wilder

verb

wil·​der ˈwil-dər How to pronounce wilder (audio)
wildered; wildering; wilders

transitive verb

1
archaic : to lead astray
2
archaic : bewilder, perplex

intransitive verb

archaic : to move at random : wander
wilderment noun archaic

Examples of wilder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Amazon Custom Joy-Cons could get even wilder than that. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2023 In perhaps the wildest game of the entire playoffs, even wilder than Serra’s win over Aptos on Saturday, Los Gatos survived on the road in an epic penalty-kick marathon after the teams played to a 4-4 tie through regulation and overtime. Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 Long known for being a more refined sister to wilder spots like Miami, this beach town on a barrier island boasts super-clear waters, some of the state’s best shopping, and hotels that are perfect for a long weekend of pampering. Juliet Izon, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2024 Nowadays, these grounds are mowed just twice a year, and haven’t been doused with pesticides or rodenticides since 2018, which was when this 157-acre stretch of land stopped being the San Geronimo Golf Course, and began a journey toward becoming wild, or at least wilder, once again. Cara Buckley, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 The model is smaller and, well, wilder than the big boats Wider has historically delivered, signaling the start of a new design era for the Italian yard. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2024 Berlin takes an American, British sense of heist thrillers and French romanticism but mixes them with characters who are far more tumultuous, effervescent, febrile, wilder in emotions. John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Dec. 2023 Farther South The coast grows less developed and arguably wilder as one travels south. Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2023 The video features are even wilder: there’s an object eraser for video — just tap and an unwanted subject disappears! Allison Johnson, The Verge, 24 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wilder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from wilderness

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wilder was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near wilder

Cite this Entry

“Wilder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wilder. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Biographical Definition

Wilder 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Wil·​der ˈwī(-ə)l-dər How to pronounce Wilder (audio)
Billy 1906–2002 born Samuel Wilder American (Polish-born) filmmaker

Wilder

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Laura Ingalls 1867–1957 née Laura Ingalls American author

Wilder

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Thornton Niven 1897–1975 American author

More from Merriam-Webster on wilder

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