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

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

Even wilder: The Bears didn’t have a single snap on offense against the Packers with the lead in all three of their matchups this season, yet Chicago won the series 2-1. — Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Then there's Nancy Wheeler, who goes from wide-eyed girl next door to gun-slinging badass—and her hair has become bigger and wilder to match. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026

For something even wilder, head to Moreton Island, a national park of towering sand dunes and quiet beaches. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025

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