wanton

adjective
UK: /ˈwɒntən/
US: /ˈwɑːntən/

  1. Deliberate and without motive or provocation; reckless or malicious.

    1. His wanton disregard for safety endangered everyone nearby.
    2. The vandalism was a wanton act of destruction, serving no purpose at all.

  2. Showing no moral restraints; having many casual sexual relationships.

    1. She was labelled wanton for her free-spirited behavior.
    2. Victorian society often wrongly viewed independent women as wanton individuals.

  3. Growing profusely; luxuriant.

    1. Wanton vines covered the abandoned building's walls.
    2. The garden, left untended, displayed a wanton growth of weeds and wildflowers.

Synonyms

malicious reckless immoral shameless licentious unrestrained
wanton verb

  1. To behave extremely cruelly and brutally.

    1. The soldiers wantoned across the occupied village.
    2. The invaders wantoned, destroying homes and terrorizing the local population.

  2. To be sexually unrestrained.

    1. They accused her of wantoning with multiple partners.
    2. The novel depicted the characters wantoning in a world of decadence and excess.
wanton noun

  1. A wanton woman; a lewd or lascivious person.

    1. She was described as a wanton, unfairly and unkindly.
    2. In the play, the wanton manipulates the men to get what she wants.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "wanton" in English means: Deliberate and without motive or provocation; reckless or malicious., Showing no moral restraints; having many casual sexual relationships., Growing profusely; luxuriant..

The phonetic transcription of "wanton" is /ˈwɒntən/ in British English and /ˈwɑːntən/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "wanton": malicious, reckless, immoral, shameless, licentious, unrestrained.

Example usage of "wanton": "His wanton disregard for safety endangered everyone nearby.". More examples on the page.