Wanton

/ˈwɒntən/ · adjective

Meaning

(archaic) Undisciplined, unruly; not able to be controlled..

Definitions by Sense

1. (archaic) Undisciplined, unruly; not able to be controlled.
2. (obsolete) Playful, sportive; merry or carefree.
3. Lewd, immoral; sexually open, unchaste.
4. Capricious, reckless of morality, justice etc.; acting without regard for the law or the well-being of others; gratuitous.
5. (archaic) Extravagant, unrestrained, excessive.
6. A pampered or coddled person.
7. An overly playful person; a trifler.
8. A self-indulgent person, fond of excess.

Example Sentences

As Flies to wanton Boyes are we to th' Gods, / They kill us for their sport.

'Tis the cruel gripe, / That lean hard-handed poverty inflicts, / The hope of better things, the chance to win, / The wiſh to ſhine, the thirſt to be amus'd, / That at the found of Winter's hoary wing, / Unpeople all our counties, of ſuch herds, / Of flutt'ring, loit'ring, cringing, begging, looſe, / And wanton vagrants, as make London, vaſt / And boundless as it is, a crowded coop.

The grave simplicity of the philosopher was ill calculated to engage her wanton levity, or to fix that unbounded passion for variety, which often discovered personal merit in the meanest of mankind.

if wenches will hang out lures for fellows, it is no matter what they suffer: I detest such creatures; and it would be much better for them that their faces had been seamed with the smallpox: but I must confess I never saw any of this wanton behaviour in poor Jenny [...].

I know I ought never to have dreamt of sending that valentine—forgive me, sir—it was a wanton thing which no woman with any self-respect should have done.

People should not marry too young, because, if they do, the children will be weak and female, the wives will become wanton, and the husbands stunted in their growth.

Edward himself, now thoroughly enlightened on her character, had no scruple in believing her capable of the utmost meanness of wanton ill-nature.

Several cases of serious wanton damage have occurred on the new electric trains on the Manchester-Bury line of the London Midland Region during recent weeks.

Synonyms for wanton

Antonyms for wanton

Related Words

Word Forms

• more wanton
• wantoner
• most wanton
• wantonest
• wantons
• wantoning
• wantoned
• wanton

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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