wanton

adjective

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wan·ton | \ ˈwȯn-tᵊn

, ˈwän-

Definition of wanton

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : 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

3a : lewd, bawdy

b : causing sexual excitement : lustful, sensual

4a : playfully mean or cruel : mischievous

b archaic : hard to control : undisciplined, unruly

wanton

noun

Definition of wanton (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : 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

wanton

verb

wantoned; wantoning; wantons

Definition of wanton (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

: to pass or waste wantonly or in wantonness

Other Words from wanton Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about wanton

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Other Words from wanton

Adjective

wantonly adverb

wantonness \ ˈwȯn-tᵊn-nəs

, ˈwän- \ noun

Verb

wantoner noun

Examples of wanton in a Sentence

Adjective 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 Noun 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 Verb 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The man was given a court summons for willful wanton disregard for both safety and private property, leaving the scene of a crash and the red-light violation. — Bob Sandrick, cleveland, "Man drives SUV into house in Brook Park," 1 May 2020 Now Senate Republicans have given Trump a pass on another wanton abuse of power. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, "Trump’s Inevitable Acquittal and the Threat to American Democracy," 1 Feb. 2020 Twan Moore, 25, was charged with first degree wanton endangerment, second degree disorderly conduct and one charge of firing a firearm on a public road. — Sarah Ladd, The Courier-Journal, "Three arrested after Louisville Police say they fired guns on public road in downtown," 5 May 2020 Burnett is being charged with wanton endangerment in the first degree, contempt of a court libel/slander resistance to order, and criminal mischief in the second degree. — Andrew Mark Miller, Washington Examiner, "Woman with coronavirus arrested at grocery store for violating quarantine order," 28 Apr. 2020 Sullivan is charged with burglary, kidnapping and wanton endangerment. — Chris Mayhew, Cincinnati.com, "Independence police exchange gunfire with suspect overnight," 23 Apr. 2020 He's been charged with murder, two counts of first degree wanton endangerment and first degree assault. — Sarah Ladd, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville police: 18-year-old kills person in drug deal gone bad, confesses to his mother," 27 Apr. 2020 Some believe the wanton slaughter produced the unsanitary conditions that triggered the plague. — Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: Napoleon has it all over Trump when it comes to spinning plague propaganda," 23 Apr. 2020 Like any migratory gamebird, wanton waste, which means to intentionally waste, neglect, or use inappropriately, comes into play. — Brad Fenson, Outdoor Life, "8 Ways to Prepare Snow Goose Meat," 2 Apr. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Officer Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for putting Taylor's neighbors in danger during the raid after firing through a window while the blinds were closed. — Tyler Van Dyke, Washington Examiner, "Louisville police signal intent to fire officers in connection with Breonna Taylor death," 29 Dec. 2020 One of three Louisville police officers, Brett Hankison, was charged with wanton endangerment, which was unrelated to Taylor’s death. — Stephanie Toone, ajc, "5 stories on social justice that shook 2020," 29 Dec. 2020 He is charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree for allegedly firing blindly bullets that ended up in an apartment next to Taylor's. — Ganesh Setty, CNN, "Louisville police move to fire two detectives involved in Breonna Taylor raid," 29 Dec. 2020 One of the three officers was fired in June and has been charged with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment related to firing into several apartments during the raid. — NBC News, "A Breonna Taylor sculpture was vandalized. Its artist says it's an 'act of racist aggression.'," 28 Dec. 2020 Instead, prosecutors announced a single officer had been indicted on charges of wanton endangerment for firing into a home next to Taylor’s. — Fox News, "Suspect in Breonna Taylor protest shooting indicted on assault, wanton endangerment charges," 17 Nov. 2020 Former officer Brett Hankison was charged by the grand jury with three counts of wanton endangerment, a low-level felony, for firing into an adjacent apartment where people were present. — Dylan Lovan, Star Tribune, "3rd Breonna Taylor grand juror: Cops 'got slap on the wrist'," 16 Nov. 2020 Former officer Brett Hankison was charged by the grand jury with three counts of wanton endangerment, a low-level felony, for firing into an adjacent apartment where people were present. — Dylan Lovan, The Courier-Journal, "3rd Breonna Taylor grand juror: Officers ‘got slap on the wrist’," 16 Nov. 2020 Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment; the other officers were not charged. — Dylan Lovan, Star Tribune, "Lawsuit: Former Louisville officer sexually assaulted woman," 11 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb All of the attacks were wanton, aimed at destruction of the cultural and artistic heritage of humanity. — David J. Wasserstein, The Conversation, "Trump’s Twitter threat to destroy Iran’s cultural sites is a historic mistake," 7 Jan. 2020

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.

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“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wanton. Accessed 25 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for wanton

wanton

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of wanton

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

: not limited or controlled

old-fashioned, of a woman : having sex with many men

See the full definition for wanton in the English Language Learners Dictionary

wanton

adjective

wan·ton | \ ˈwȯn-tᵊn

Kids Definition of wanton

1 : not modest or proper : indecent

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

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.