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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of wanton
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Late last year, Rivera’s family filed a nine-count lawsuit against Baker, the city and CPD, alleging willful and wanton conduct, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Apr. 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
Maison Des Champs, 26, was sentenced Monday to a 364-day jail term, with all but 45 days suspended, and one year of probation after pleading guilty to a gross misdemeanor charge of acting with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property, according to court records.
—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Late last year, Rivera’s family filed a nine-count lawsuit against Baker, the city and CPD, alleging willful and wanton conduct, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Apr. 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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Sean Goode, a former Canton police sergeant who was working the night of John O'Keefe's death and testified during the first Karen Read trial, allegedly sent dozens of vulgar text messages, according to an independent investigation.
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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.
Adjective
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July 4th will be far hotter than normal for many and will follow several days in a row of intense heat.
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Be vigilant about never leaving young children and pets in vehicles without supervision, especially during periods of intense heat, as car interiors can quickly become extremely hot.
Adjective
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And Addy, perhaps the most brutal American Girl story, is enslaved.
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In January, the government suppressed huge nationwide protests in a brutal crackdown that left thousands dead.
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 6 Jul. 2026.
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