1
b
: having no just foundation or provocation : malicious
a wanton attack
2
: being without check or limitation: such as
a
: unduly lavish : extravagant
wanton imagination
b
: luxuriantly rank
wanton vegetation
4
a
: playfully mean or cruel : mischievous
b
archaic
: hard to control : undisciplined, unruly
wantonly
adverb
1
a
: one given to self-indulgent flirtation or trifling
—used especially in the phrase play the wanton
b
: a lewd or lascivious person
2
: a pampered person or animal : pet
especially
: a spoiled child
3
: a frolicsome child or animal
wantoned; wantoning; wantons
: to be wanton or act wantonly (see wanton entry 1)
: to pass or waste wantonly or in wantonness
wantoner
noun
Synonyms
Examples of wanton in a Sentence
Adjective
No artist should be subjected to this much wanton affection: it's unseemly, like being hugged by a stranger who won't let go.
—
James Wolcott, New Republic, 30 Aug. 2004
I also wrote that innocent people would die as a consequence of the wanton, lawless destruction of medical stocks in a dirt-poor country.
—Christopher Hitchens, Nation, 31 May 1999
While I was happy to find Mr. Pollan firmly allied with those of us who oppose the wanton broadcast of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers on lawn and garden, I wish he had lingered a little longer over this vital subject.
—Maxine Kumin, New York Times Book Review, 9 June 1991
Vandals were guilty of the wanton destruction of the school property.
They were accused of wanton cruelty toward animals.
He showed a wanton disregard for his friend's feelings.
a life of wanton luxury
Noun
He practiced the anathema he would hurl at her from his pulpit when her shame was known—hussy, slut, harlot and wanton featured heavily …
—James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
During the middle years of their marriage … his campaign to free his bride so that she could become a wanton had languished.
—Andrew M. Greeley, Ascent into Hell, 1983
My informal education had begun the afternoon in Belleville Park when I discovered that girls were wantons willing to sneak away to shaded glades to be kissed.
—Russell Baker, Growing Up, 1982
quite the wanton when he wants to be
Verb
It might well be, said Mrs McNab, wantoning on with her memories; they had friends in eastern countries; gentlemen staying there, ladies in evening dress; she had seen them once through the dining-room door all sitting at dinner.
—Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse, 1927
… for Nature here / Wantoned as in her prime and played at will / Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss.
—John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1667
James Wolcott, New Republic, 30 Aug. 2004
I also wrote that innocent people would die as a consequence of the wanton, lawless destruction of medical stocks in a dirt-poor country.
—Christopher Hitchens, Nation, 31 May 1999
While I was happy to find Mr. Pollan firmly allied with those of us who oppose the wanton broadcast of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers on lawn and garden, I wish he had lingered a little longer over this vital subject.
—Maxine Kumin, New York Times Book Review, 9 June 1991
Vandals were guilty of the wanton destruction of the school property.
They were accused of wanton cruelty toward animals.
He showed a wanton disregard for his friend's feelings.
a life of wanton luxury
Noun
He practiced the anathema he would hurl at her from his pulpit when her shame was known—hussy, slut, harlot and wanton featured heavily …
—James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
During the middle years of their marriage … his campaign to free his bride so that she could become a wanton had languished.
—Andrew M. Greeley, Ascent into Hell, 1983
My informal education had begun the afternoon in Belleville Park when I discovered that girls were wantons willing to sneak away to shaded glades to be kissed.
—Russell Baker, Growing Up, 1982
quite the wanton when he wants to be
Verb
It might well be, said Mrs McNab, wantoning on with her memories; they had friends in eastern countries; gentlemen staying there, ladies in evening dress; she had seen them once through the dining-room door all sitting at dinner.
—Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse, 1927
… for Nature here / Wantoned as in her prime and played at will / Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss.
—John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1667
Recent Examples on the Web
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
The judge stated that the lawsuit could continue on one count, that Martinez’s claimed willful, wanton and reckless misconduct caused Nixon’s death.
—Daniel Tepfer, Connecticut Post, 22 Oct. 2024
The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
This artificiality of style helps convey the feeling of a wanton, freewheeling adult fairy tale.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2024
The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
Fighting worker exploitation and prosecuting wanton wage theft offenders must be a priority for attorneys general everywhere.
—William C. Sproule, Baltimore Sun, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wanton 
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Adjective
Further downtown, the Warriors meet the Orphans, Hill’s quasi-Latinx solution to the wanton cruelty of the depiction of the Puerto Rican gang in the book.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
The judge stated that the lawsuit could continue on one count, that Martinez’s claimed willful, wanton and reckless misconduct caused Nixon’s death.
—Daniel Tepfer, Connecticut Post, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
To establish recklessness in this context, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that someone has created an obvious risk of death and then acted in wanton disregard of the risk.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
This artificiality of style helps convey the feeling of a wanton, freewheeling adult fairy tale.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
Penny did not do this: Neely created the risk by menacing passengers on the train, and Penny’s actions were not wanton.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
Fighting worker exploitation and prosecuting wanton wage theft offenders must be a priority for attorneys general everywhere.
—William C. Sproule, Baltimore Sun, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wanton
Articles Related to wanton
Dictionary Entries Near wanton
Cite this Entry
“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wanton. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
wanton
adjective
wan·ton
ˈwänt-ᵊn, ˈwȯnt- 
: manifesting extreme indifference to a risk of injury to another that is known or should have been known : characterized by knowledge of and utter disregard for probability of resulting harm
a wanton act
by such wanton or willful misconduct
see also reckless
Note: Wanton, reckless, and willful are often used to refer to an aggravated level of negligence that borders on intent and that is often ground for an award of punitive damages.
wantonly
adverb
wantonness
noun
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