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
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2
as in passionate
having a strong sexual desire
in earlier times, novelists usually portrayed wanton women as coming to a bad end
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of wanton
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2024
Sadly, some of the same congressmen who are enraged by the shooting of Mr. Trump also repeatedly block any legislation that would make Americans less vulnerable to wanton shootings.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
The trial marks the third trial for Hankison, following the initial mistrial as well as a state trial in 2022, in which he was acquitted of multiple wanton endangerment charges.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wanton 
Adjective
While communities rose up and launched far larger counter-protests that ended the wanton destruction and violence, Britain is still questioning itself.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2024
Sadly, some of the same congressmen who are enraged by the shooting of Mr. Trump also repeatedly block any legislation that would make Americans less vulnerable to wanton shootings.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Noun
Perfectly Imperfect in some ways attempts to resist the wanton commodification of online personality.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
The trial marks the third trial for Hankison, following the initial mistrial as well as a state trial in 2022, in which he was acquitted of multiple wanton endangerment charges.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wanton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanton
Adjective
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Blink Twice nods at a tangle of different contemporary ailments: lifestyle fetishism, wellness hedonism, our obscene fealty to stolid tech bros and their untrammeled wealth.Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024
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Many are short baby names—partly because Australia prohibits long names, obscene words, and names with symbols or too many hyphens.1 Here are some of our favorite boys' names from the land down under.Sherri Gordon, Parents, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Like her older sisters, Hunter is passionate about cheer and tumbling.Nasha Smith, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
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The winery blends tradition with passionate winemaking.Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The season two scoop: A cruel winter brings new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob (Ford) and Cara (Mirren) back at Dutton ranch.Marc Berman, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
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In Season 2, a cruel winter brings new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob (Ford) and Cara (Mirren) back at Dutton ranch.Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Polite flirts often focus on building a connection slowly, ensuring that their behavior aligns with social norms and avoids any form of inappropriate advances.Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
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And as if there weren’t enough walls closing around him, Jadis appears, flirts with Rick, and ensures that Michonne sees it.Leah Marilla Thomas, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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The show was so bawdy — almost vulgar in a really fun way.Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
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Read more Here's what else to know one week before Election Day: Trump is on damage duty: The former president's campaign is scrambling to distance itself from racist, vulgar, and sexist comments made by speakers at Trump's Sunday night rally at Madison Square Garden in New York.Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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During this hot summer in rural Ireland, in a reprieve from her dysfunctional family home, the girl learns care and warmth like she’s never experienced before.Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
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Research shows wildfires have grown more intense in recent decades, fueled by wildfire weather (hot, dry conditions plus wind) that’s become more frequent — especially in California.Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Thousands of prisoners have now been freed, many after decades of incarceration in brutal conditions.Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
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Winter's brutal grip is continuing Friday for millions across the eastern U.S. as temperatures remain well below average.Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The British actor finds the humor and sensitivity in his lustful swain, and his mellifluous voice is perfectly matched to Shakespeare’s prose.Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
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Otto Hightower – 3 points The grandson Otto installed as king is overruling him in front of the people and getting bamboozled into ousting him as Hand by a man who trades secrets in exchange for lustful glances at Otto’s daughter’s toes.Brian Grubb, Vulture, 16 June 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanton. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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