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 General comment on the season: This season showed a balance between optimism and darkness, illustrated by the duality of the collections and the growing vibe of a darker and wilder assumed woman. WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 But things get even wilder when everyone on the show becomes Janet for an episode. Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2024 With Henry, Julius finds a man even wilder than him, full of endless ambition. Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 But then a new study came out about something even wilder: animals performing surgery on one another. Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for wilder 

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 3 Oct. 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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