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1. Dictionary

   wanton

   /ˈwɒnt(ə)n/

   adjective

   • 1. (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked: "sheer wanton vandalism" Similar deliberatewilfulmaliciousmalevolentspitefulviciouswickedevilcruelunprovokedunmotivatedmotivelessarbitrarygroundlessunjustifiableunjustifiedneedlessunnecessaryuncalled forgratuitoussenselesspointlesspurposelessaimlessuselessmeaninglessemptyvacuousOpposite justifiable
   • 2. sexually unrestrained or having many casual sexual relationships (typically used of a woman): dated "her cheeks burned as she recalled how forward she had been, how wanton" Similar licentiouspromiscuousimmoralimmodestindecentshamelessunblushingunchasteunvirtuousimpureabandonedlustfullecherouslascivioussalaciouslubriciouslibidinouslibertineprofligatedissolutedissipateddebaucheddegeneratereprobatecorruptsinfuldated:loosefastof easy virtueOpposite chastemoral
   • 3. growing profusely; luxuriant: archaic "where wanton ivy twines"
   • ▪ lively; playful: "a wanton fawn" Similar capriciousplayfulfriskyjollyfun-lovinglivelyfull of lifehigh-spiritedspiritedcarelessheedlessimpulsiveimpetuousrashrecklessabandonedaudaciouscavalierdevil-may-carehappy-go-luckyarchaic:frolicsomesportiveOpposite serious

   noun

   • 1. a sexually unrestrained woman: archaic "she'd behaved like a wanton"

   verb

   • 1. play; frolic: "they sat gazing at the white-flecked pure blue sea and the various gulls that wantoned in the wake"
   • 2. behave in a sexually unrestrained way: "women who have wantoned with suitors"

   Word Origin Middle Englishwantowen ‘rebellious, lacking discipline’, from wan- ‘badly’ + Old Englishtogen ‘trained’ (related to team and tow1).

   Derivatives

   • 1. wantonness noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › wantonWanton Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › wanton

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   How to use wanton in a sentence. merciless, inhumane; having no just foundation or provocation : malicious; being without check or limitation: such as… See the full definition

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishWANTON | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   WANTON definition: 1. (of something bad, such as damage, cruelty, waste) extreme and showing no care at all: 2. (of a…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › wantonWANTON Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › wanton

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   Wanton definition: done, shown, used, etc., maliciously or unjustifiably. See examples of WANTON used in a sentence.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishWANTON definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   A wanton action deliberately causes harm, damage, or waste without having any reason to. ...this unnecessary and wanton destruction of our environment. Wanton violence is now becoming a regular feature of urban life. Synonyms: wilful, needless, senseless, unjustified More Synonyms of wanton.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › wantonWanton - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › wanton

   Wanton describes something excessive, uncontrolled and sometimes even cruel. The principal sees a food fight as a wanton act of vandalism done with wanton disregard for the rules, but the kids might just see it as fun.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryWANTON | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   WANTON meaning: 1. (of something bad, such as damage, cruelty, waste) extreme and showing no care at all: 2. (of a…. Learn more.

8. www.oed.com › dictionary › wanton_adjwanton, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more - Oxford English...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › wanton_adj

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   Oct 4, 2023 · Engaging in or inclined to amorous dalliance or sexual play; (in later use also) devoted to pleasure; inclined to indulge in pursuits regarded as…. gay 1597–. Originally of persons and later also more widely: dedicated to social pleasures; dissolute, promiscuous; frivolous, hedonistic. Also (esp. in to g ….