51Թ

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wanton

[won-tn]

adjective

  1. done, shown, used, etc., maliciously or unjustifiably.

    a wanton attack; wanton cruelty.

    Synonyms:
  2. deliberate and without motive or provocation; uncalled-for; headstrong; willful.

    Why jeopardize your career in such a wanton way?

    Synonyms:
  3. without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.; careless; reckless.

    a wanton attacker of religious convictions.

    Synonyms: ,
    Antonyms: ,
  4. sexually lawless or unrestrained; loose; lascivious; lewd.

    wanton behavior.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,
    Antonyms:
  5. extravagantly or excessively luxurious, as a person, manner of living, or style.

    Synonyms:
    Antonyms:
  6. luxuriant, as vegetation.

  7. Archaic.

    1. sportive or frolicsome, as children or young animals.

    2. having free play.

      wanton breezes; a wanton brook.



noun

  1. a wanton or lascivious person, especially a woman.

verb (used without object)

  1. to behave in a wanton manner; become wanton.

verb (used with object)

  1. to squander, especially in pleasure (often followed byaway ).

    to wanton away one's inheritance.

    Synonyms:

wanton

/ ˈɒԳə /

adjective

  1. dissolute, licentious, or immoral

  2. without motive, provocation, or justification

    wanton destruction

  3. maliciously and unnecessarily cruel or destructive

  4. unrestrained

    wanton spending

  5. archaicplayful or capricious

  6. archaic(of vegetation, etc) luxuriant or superabundant

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a licentious person, esp a woman

  2. a playful or capricious person

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to behave in a wanton manner

  2. (tr) to squander or waste

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • wantonly adverb
  • wantonness noun
  • unwanton adjective
  • ˈɲԳٴDzԲԱ noun
  • ˈɲԳٴDzԱ adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of wanton1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English wantowen, literally, “undisciplined, ill-reared,” Old English wan- “not” + togen, past participle of ŧDz “to discipline, rear,” cognate with German ziehen, Latin ū “to lead”; akin to tow 1
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of wanton1

C13 wantowen (in the obsolete sense: unmanageable, unruly): from wan- (prefix equivalent to un- 1 ; related to Old English wanian to wane ) + -towen, from Old English togen brought up, from ŧDz to bring up
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

And of course, those Trump supporters have ignored or otherwise put aside many of the most troubling dimensions of Trumpism, such as racism, nativism, sexism and wanton cruelty.

From

She’s also expressed concerns about Elon Musk’s wanton assault on federal employees.

From

Mr Goozee, who handed each of them a 12-month community order, said the pair had committed "an act of wanton vandalism".

From

He values skill, graciousness, and intellect and detests wanton corruption — especially when it touches him or someone he cares about.

From

For years, Bridget longed for love to make her life perfect, playing the part of the girlfriend, the mistress and the wanton sex goddess.

From

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