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
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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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1
as in cruelty
disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others
the barbaric wantonness with which the guards treated the prisoners of war
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2
as in grossness
the quality or state of being obscene
novels characterized chiefly by their sheer wantonness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wanton
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
The practice of slavery continued long after the abolition of the slave trade by France in 1818, with enslavers supported by the state for acts of astonishing, wanton violence.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024
Gabriela Silva, TVLine, 26 Feb. 2025
Among other concerns, the wanton killing of Afghan fighters and civilians was viewed as destroying trust between foreign troops and the civilian population.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Adjective
Spider-Man rescues and moves the pets while avoiding Butane's wanton destruction, before putting him down for the count with the help of a giant fish tank.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
The practice of slavery continued long after the abolition of the slave trade by France in 1818, with enslavers supported by the state for acts of astonishing, wanton violence.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
On March 19, 2024, Huger was charged with a DUI and DWI on the counts of: 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.
—Gabriela Silva, TVLine, 26 Feb. 2025
Among other concerns, the wanton killing of Afghan fighters and civilians was viewed as destroying trust between foreign troops and the civilian population.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanton
Adjective
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The obscene cost of healthcare has pushed manufacturers offshore and kept wages stagnant for decades.—
Ro Khanna,
Twin Cities,
12 June 2025
-
In Tacoma, 35 miles to the south, Ted Bundy grew up near the American Smelting and Refining Co., which disgorged obscene levels of lead and arsenic into the air while netting millions for the Guggenheim dynasty before its 1986 closure.—
Hamilton Cain,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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And to the passionate fans who’ve boldly joined us on this journey — THANK YOU.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
12 June 2025
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Formula 1 Key Takeaways Formula 1 Is Luxury’s Most Sophisticated Customer Acquisition Platform While other sports offer visibility, F1 provides 800 million passionate consumers who are aligned with standards that truly make a luxury product.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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And for every San Antonio, there is a Utah or Washington or Charlotte that can’t believe how cruel the lottery can be.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
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This is cruel, unnecessary, and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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One of them, a graduate student named Hailey, who had the kind of vulgar beauty of fecundity, duly fell pregnant.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
15 June 2025
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Dem rep's vulgar demand to ICE officers leads to calls to expel her from Congress MAJOR HEADLINES 'NEVER SEEN HER' – AOC, progressives ripped for ignoring 'Red Light district' as prostitution, filthy streets return.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Conners shot 72-74 in the first two rounds and got off to a hot start on Saturday.—
Savannah Leigh Richardson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
-
During the first and third rounds, Spaun picked up ground against the field with a hot putter, gaining four shots on the greens on Thursday and 2.84 on Saturday.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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That was a brutal era of NBA basketball where the winning final score sometimes didn’t hit 80.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2025
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Jasmin Paris, who in 2024 became one of only 20 people ever to finish the brutal 100-mile Barkley Marathons race in under 60 hours —while pumping breast milk.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Rather than being lustful or playful, there’s a nervousness and a discomfort about her.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2024
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The lustful reggaeton-bachata song about a twisted love affair would shock fans upon its release in the spring of 2005.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The Republican tax bill could push food assistance in Colorado into a vicious cycle of funding cuts, increasing mistakes in determining eligibility and further funding cuts to punish those mistakes, Gov. Jared Polis warned in a letter to congressional leaders Friday.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
16 June 2025
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Plaschke delivers a vicious uppercut to his opponent.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanton. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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