1
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
that novel was once regarded as a wanton tale of forbidden love
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passionate
having a strong sexual desire
in earlier times, novelists usually portrayed wanton women as coming to a bad end
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cruel
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
a wanton attack on unarmed civilians
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wanton
Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Human rights organizations have also documented the wanton execution of Alawite civilians by fighters aligned with the government.
—Jerome Drevon, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
Liza Esquibias, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Spiker was arrested on charges including wanton endangerment and criminal mischief, WKBO reported.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Adjective
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday afternoon on behalf of Jennings’ wife Mary Katherine Fountain, accuses East of willful and wanton conduct, battery and consciously causing pain and suffering to Jennings.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Human rights organizations have also documented the wanton execution of Alawite civilians by fighters aligned with the government.
—Jerome Drevon, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
Huger was ultimately charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Spiker was arrested on charges including wanton endangerment and criminal mischief, WKBO reported.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanton
Adjective
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Banners containing commercial, political or obscene material, or that block guest views.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Just another week in the world of Ball, who was fined $35,000 by the NBA on Monday for making an obscene gesture in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 144-117 loss to Miami.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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With more than 33 billion plays and one of the most passionate fanbases on the Roblox platform, Grow a Garden is a game where players cultivate thriving gardens, trade crops, decorate worlds, and collaborate in seasonal events.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
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Both are impeccably made and performed and will have passionate supporters.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
That is unacceptably cruel, corrupt, and undemocratic.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Instead, she was stripped of her bronze medal after a late score inquiry—a ruling that still feels cruel for an athlete who had delivered the performance of her life.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In northern Colombia, a Yupa man drinks and flirts with a bat on his way home from hunting.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
29 Oct. 2025
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Cancer: Pamela Anderson Pamela Anderson makes a cameo at the film's beginning and flirts with Fred.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Who decides what’s decorous and what’s vulgar?—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
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The president has been targeting Jeffries online with offensive and vulgar memes since the pair first had an unsuccessful sit-down meeting in the Oval Office just before the shutdown.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tofu pudding with piping-hot dipping sauce.—
Mike Valerio,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Offered by the slice only, the Milpitas exclusive is the True Italian, a New York thin-crust pizza topped with pesto, mozzarella, garlic, tomato, Romano cheese, oregano and garlic oil, with the option to add goat cheese, ricotta cheese and hot honey.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Recently, the vast majority have been coming from Sudan, embroiled in a brutal civil war which has displaced millions.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Musically, Lee took on the air of a woman revealing intimate truths about herself one year at a time, shedding layers as a way of rewarding patience with honesty, no matter how brutal.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The waste feels more flagrant with every pornographic shot of a Chanel bag, vintage car or over-the-top ensemble.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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Opponents of the books describe them as pornographic.—
Adrienne Davis,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanton. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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