wilder

verb

wil·​der ˈwil-dər 

wildered; wildering; wilders

transitive verb

1

archaic : to lead astray

2

archaic : bewilder, perplex

intransitive verb

archaic : to move at random : wander

wilderment

ˈwil-dər-mənt 

noun archaic

Examples of wilder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When his demands are presented to the police and the FBI, things get even wilder. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 22 May 2026

That’s not to say the Friars are going to win the whole thing, but wilder things have happened on an NCAA court around this time of year. — Takashi Williams, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026

The coastline feels wilder, the pace slower, the sunsets somehow longer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026

Though the vibes were different and the show perhaps a bit more subdued compared to wilder iterations of the past, there was still plenty of love for the scrappy, passionate creators of independent film. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from wilderness

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for wilder

• milder
• schilder

Biographical Definition

Wilder 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Wil·​der ˈwī(-ə)l-dər 

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