wanton

adjective wan·ton \ ˈwȯn-tᵊn , ˈwän- \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of wanton

1 a : merciless, inhumane

wanton cruelty

b : having no just foundation or provocation : malicious

a wanton attack

2 : being without check or limitation: such as

a : unduly lavish : extravagant

wanton imagination

b : luxuriantly rank

wanton vegetation

3 a : lewd, bawdy

b : causing sexual excitement : lustful, sensual

4 a : playfully mean or cruel : mischievous

b archaic : hard to control : undisciplined, unruly

—

wantonly

adverb

—

wantonness

play \ˈwȯn-tᵊn-nəs, ˈwän-\ noun

See wanton defined for English-language learners

See wanton defined for kids

Examples of wanton in a Sentence

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
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
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
Vandals were guilty of the wanton destruction of the school property.
They were accused of wanton cruelty toward animals.
He showed a wanton disregard for his friend's feelings.
a life of wanton luxury

Recent Examples of wanton from the Web

Introduced in 1994 under the guise of environmental concern, the UK government believed that the tax would deter travelers from wanton air travel.

— cynthia drescher, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Hidden Fee That Makes Flying Through Some Airports More Expensive," 9 Apr. 2018
Many fiscal conservatives who eventually voted for the GOP nominee took that to mean Trump wanted to rein in wanton federal spending.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Trump Cabinet officials' spending is a story that won't go away," 15 Mar. 2018
Judge Thomas Drechsler found Laci Kirk, who is also known as Laci Brand, guilty of wanton or reckless endangerment of a child and sentenced her to 2.5 years in the House of Corrections, according to the DA’s office.

— danny mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "Lynn woman found guilty of endangering her 4-month-old," 14 Mar. 2018
One of the things that most alarms me about this President is his wanton disregard for democratic institutions -- the courts and rule of law and a free press, among others.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "The Democratic case against impeaching President Trump," 9 Apr. 2018
In 1918 Congress passed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to protect birds from wanton killing.

— benji jones, National Geographic, "Five Baby Bird Cams You Don't Want to Miss This Spring," 4 Apr. 2018
Police recklessness or wanton abuse did not kill Spencer Mims III on the porch of his Charlotte home, an attorney for his family told a Mecklenburg County jury on Tuesday morning.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "A series of mistakes by panicked police led to a Charlotte man's death, lawyer says | Charlotte Observer," 3 Apr. 2018
The suspect in Rodman's death, Wathaniel Woods, also known as James Woods, is charged with the murder of a police officer, as well as second-degree assault, wanton endangerment, fleeing police and other charges.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "City remembers Officer Nick Rodman, who holds a 'special place' in the heart of Louisville," 29 Mar. 2018
The vehicle was found in the garage and the driver, a 59-year-old man, was cited for fleeing and eluding, expired plates and willful wanton disregard for safety.

— andy attina / cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "K-9 performs drug sniff at high school: Mayfield Village Police Blotter," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wanton.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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 ¹tow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4b

See Words from the same year

wanton Synonyms

wanton

noun

Definition of wanton

1 a : one given to self-indulgent flirtation or trifling —used especially in the phrase play the wanton

b : a lewd or lascivious person

2 : a pampered person or animal : pet; especially : a spoiled child

3 : a frolicsome child or animal

Examples of wanton in a Sentence

He practiced the anathema he would hurl at her from his pulpit when her shame was known—hussy, slut, harlot and wanton featured heavily … —James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
During the middle years of their marriage … his campaign to free his bride so that she could become a wanton had languished. —Andrew M. Greeley, Ascent into Hell, 1983
My informal education had begun the afternoon in Belleville Park when I discovered that girls were wantons willing to sneak away to shaded glades to be kissed. —Russell Baker, Growing Up, 1982

Recent Examples of wanton from the Web

The erotic scenes are dialectical as well as hot; the meetings have a wanton, feverish energy.

— a. o. scott, New York Times, "Review: ‘BPM (Beats Per Minute)’ Captures the Fierce AIDS Fight," 19 Oct. 2017
The extremists have left a trail of wanton, sometimes bizarre, destruction.

— National Geographic, "Iraq's Unique Wildlife Pushed to Brink by War, Hunting," 6 Feb. 2017

Origin and Etymology of wanton

see ¹wanton

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1509

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

wanton

verb

Definition of wanton

intransitive verb

: to be wanton or act wantonly (see ¹wanton)

transitive verb

: to pass or waste wantonly or in wantonness

—

wantoner

noun

Examples of wanton in a Sentence

It might well be, said Mrs McNab, wantoning on with her memories; they had friends in eastern countries; gentlemen staying there, ladies in evening dress; she had seen them once through the dining-room door all sitting at dinner. —Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse, 1927
… for Nature here / Wantoned as in her prime and played at will / Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss. —John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1667

Origin and Etymology of wanton

see ¹wanton

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1582

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

WANTON Defined for English Language Learners

wanton

adjective

Definition of wanton for English Language Learners

: showing no thought or care for the rights, feelings, or safety of others
: not limited or controlled
of a woman : having sex with many men

WANTON Defined for Kids

wanton

adjective wan·ton \ ˈwȯn-tᵊn \

Definition of wanton for Students

1 : not modest or proper : indecent

2 : showing no thought or care for the rights, feelings, or safety of others

wanton cruelty

—

wantonly

adverb

—

wantonness

noun

Law Dictionary

wanton

adjective wan·ton \ ˈwänt-ᵊn, ˈwȯnt- \

legal Definition of wanton

: manifesting extreme indifference to a risk of injury to another that is known or should have been known : characterized by knowledge of and utter disregard for probability of resulting harm

a wanton act

by such wanton or willful misconduct

— see also reckless

Note: Wanton reckless, and willful are often used to refer to an aggravated level of negligence that borders on intent and that is often ground for an award of punitive damages.

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