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
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
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
Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2025
He was initially charged in September 2020 with three counts of wanton endangerment at the state level before being found not guilty in March 2022.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Adjective
In this raucous odyssey a wanton minx quests hard across a dreamy landscape of smut, filth and psychics, hustling to lift a curse that has been f*cking her sh*t up.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
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
Noun
She’s also expressed concerns about Elon Musk’s wanton assault on federal employees.
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2025
He was initially charged in September 2020 with three counts of wanton endangerment at the state level before being found not guilty in March 2022.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for wanton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanton
Adjective
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Part of that obscene number is the Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Brooklyn prosecutors charged him with misdemeanor assault, as well as menacing, reckless endangerment, possession of obscene material, interference with a professional sporting event, weapons possession and other charges, officials said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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More great features Modern glass design: The sellers, who were active in property management, were passionate about the extensive use of glass in the home.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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Mariachi has existed since at least the 1700s, and younger generations are still passionate about keeping it alive, Crystal said.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As Wallace and Gromit investigate this mysterious thief, their paths cross with the cruel, trigger-happy Lord Victor Quartermaine (Ralph Fiennes), who has his own ambitions for the competition and Wallace’s love interest, Lady Tottington (Helena Bonham Carter).—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Auggie isn’t a cruel, withholding bigot, but a stable and loving parent.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Hank is a self-satisfied peacock and chronic flirt.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Aug. 2025
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Someone who plans extravagant dates and shows you off…but also flirts with others or lies about small things in ways that leave you second-guessing your worth.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Her choice to respond by telling me to 'shut the f*** up' and to 'calm my p*****' was vulgar, dismissive and escalated the issue entirely.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
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As deadly wildfires raged across Southern California in January, a Los Angeles city official lamented to the city council and others how they were forced to listen to hateful, vulgar language from some members of the public.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The lunch special for the month of August is a hot honey pimento cheese sandwich on homemade white bread served with a garden side salad ($11.95).—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
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During a hot Thursday in Houston, Legette got the big-play party started against the Texans.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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After being relegated to the bench as his season spirals out of control, shortstop Anthony Volpe returned to the lineup against the Washington Nationals, only for his issues at the plate to reach a brutal new low.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
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Friends can lie, colleagues can backstab, anyone can die in any number of brutal ways.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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He’s got a strong, if not particularly nuanced, voice that served him well over the lustful screams from the audience, which was heavy on young women and families.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
23 Aug. 2025
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And all signs are pointing back to the church, though Honey gets a bit distracted with a new fling in Aubrey Plaza’s lustful cop MG Falcone and some family drama with her wayward niece Corinne (Talia Ryder).—
Lindsey Bahr,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanton. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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