wilder

verb

wil·​der ˈwil-dər 

wildered; wildering; wilders

transitive verb

1

archaic : to lead astray

2

archaic : bewilder, perplex

intransitive verb

archaic : to move at random : wander

wilderment

ˈwil-dər-mənt 

noun archaic

Examples of wilder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But a mysterious force is stopping their return and the time-traveling TARDIS team must face great dangers, ferocious enemies and wilder terrors than ever before. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025

Dog Man’s nemesis is an evil orange tabby named Petey (Pete Davidson) who loves nothing more than to dream up wilder and wilder robots to take down his rival. —Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2025

Europe, though, continued to get wilder and wilder versions of the Pantera, many of which are fair game for importation into the U.S. today. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2025

Ribas’ hands and movement were much crisper than that of Dern, whose movement was awkward and punches were slower and wilder than those of her foe. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from wilderness

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for wilder

• milder
• schilder

Biographical Definition

Wilder 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Wil·​der ˈwī(-ə)l-dər 

Billy 1906–2002 born Samuel Wilder American (Polish-born) filmmaker

Wilder

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Laura Ingalls 1867–1957 née Laura Ingalls American author

Wilder

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Thornton Niven 1897–1975 American author