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
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Mystic Rayne, 53, is facing charges of wanton endangerment and criminal mischief.
—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Mar. 2026
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Meier said their wanton and reckless conduct and failure to stop the boxing match led to Delgado-Garcia's serious injuries and death.
—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Adjective
And yet this is the type of building that seems always to be in danger of wanton destruction in Chicago.
—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Mystic Rayne, 53, is facing charges of wanton endangerment and criminal mischief.
—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
His characters enjoy casual conversation but don’t brook wanton confession.
—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Meier said their wanton and reckless conduct and failure to stop the boxing match led to Delgado-Garcia's serious injuries and death.
—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanton
Adjective
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Counterculture Yippies would turn up at a 1970 Blood, Sweat & Tears show at Madison Square Garden, carrying obscene banners outside and dumping manure by the front gate.
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Yippies would turn up at a 1970 Blood, Sweat & Tears show at Madison Square Garden, carrying obscene banners outside and dumping manure by the front gate.
Adjective
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The Democrats are also passionate about the Constitution, the rule of law and due process — all high ground positions.
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Even in some of the big, seemingly soulless companies, there’s a lot of really passionate people who want to make art.
Adjective
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Swift moved on from one Brit to the next, quietly dating actor Joe Alwyn from 2017 to 2023, while the world spent back-to-back cruel summers without Taymerica.
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This is particularly gratifying given the absurd and cruel trolling the young actress received from the toxic corners of internet fandom leading up to the film’s release.
Noun
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The daughter of screenwriter Arnold Manoff and Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress/director Lee Grant, Dinah Manoff played Marty Maraschino, the Pink Ladies' biggest flirt.
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The hole’s narrow fairway flirts with disaster on both sides – water and super high rough.
Adjective
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Others were removed early on for vulgar or inappropriate comments, according to a PGA Tour source with knowledge of the events, with five spectators in total ejected from the tournament with six holes to go.
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In recent years, Trae Young has repeatedly tormented the Knicks at the famed Madison Square Garden, turning clutch shots and postgame showmanship into vulgar chants from New York fans.
Adjective
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That’s why everything looks different in a cold pool versus a hot shower.
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Either way, El Niño is likely to remain a hot topic throughout 2026.
Adjective
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The New York Mets are in disarray thanks to a brutal start to what was supposed to be a promising season.
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In 1972, a year after a brutal conflict—one in which India helped with the rebirth of the eastern wing of Pakistan as Bangladesh—New Delhi and Islamabad concluded an agreement that resumed limited trade.
Adjective
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Gibson asked for pornographic images of the minor, and sent photos of himself, according to court documents.
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While Washington drags its feet, kids across the nation are being exposed to vile, pornographic images and ads with no meaningful safeguards to prevent it.
Cite this Entry
“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanton. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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