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
Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
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
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Callen is being charged with one count of first-degree assault, four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and one count of unlawfully permitting a minor to possess a handgun.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Adjective
The storyline revolves around a delicious plot twist that the film’s trailer unfortunately gives away in wanton fashion, so my presenting a spoiler alert seems a bit superfluous.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
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
Noun
He was found not guilty of wanton endangerment in March 2022.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Callen is being charged with one count of first-degree assault, four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and one count of unlawfully permitting a minor to possess a handgun.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanton
Adjective
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The law requires pornographic websites to verify users’ ages – for example by making users scan and upload their driver’s license – before granting access to content that is deemed obscene for minors but not adults.—
Meg Leta Jones,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
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Lawsuit alleges 'obscene' government overreach Longo's lawsuit, filed in Chemung County, New York, names the county, the city of Elmira and several DEC officers as defendants.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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LeBron James is one of the latest to join the long list of stars from other sports who are passionate about golf.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
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His parents and siblings served in the military, but Bradley, who wouldn't qualify to serve because of severe vision impairment in his right eye, was passionate about helping his community in a different way.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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A little more than a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a decision from the Ninth Circuit that determined a ban on people sleeping in public was constitutionally cruel and unusual.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
29 July 2025
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In an inordinately cowardly and cruel act, Rubio stayed away from the department that day, ignoring the men and women whose careers and life plans were decimated by his flippant decision-making.—
Lynn Northcutt Vega,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Staff Pick: Sabrina Carpenter flirts with controversy (again) Sabrina Carpenter performs onstage during the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 2 in Los Angeles.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
18 June 2025
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At the club later that night, Caio and Lawrence stand off to the side while the rest of the crew dances and flirts.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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By The Athletic’s count, over nine innings during the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Mets, those fans aimed the same vulgar chant at Soto a whopping 38 times.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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Because at the time, Madonna was seen as this controversial and sort of vulgar character.—
Terry Gross,
NPR,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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Sami Zayn got off to a hot start, with a moonsault off the barricade.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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Cacti and succulents are usually from hot, arid climates.—
Dr. Matthew Lisy,
Hartford Courant,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Mortensen not only survived the brutal massacre, but is also the only eyewitness to have seen Kohberger at the scene of the crime.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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According to an arrest affidavit obtained by USA Today, the 21-year-old approached a woman from behind at a self-checkout lane at a Walmart in Tennessee, and launched into a brutal attack.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Who wouldn't want to experience love for the first time against the lustful backdrop of fictional Cousins Beach, an idyllic East Coast town, Walker said.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanton. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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