1
b
: having no just foundation or provocation : malicious
a wanton attack
2
: being without check or limitation: such as
a
: unduly lavish : extravagant
wanton imagination
b
: luxuriantly rank
wanton vegetation
4
a
: playfully mean or cruel : mischievous
b
archaic
: hard to control : undisciplined, unruly
wantonly
adverb
1
a
: one given to self-indulgent flirtation or trifling
—used especially in the phrase play the wanton
b
: a lewd or lascivious person
2
: a pampered person or animal : pet
especially
: a spoiled child
3
: a frolicsome child or animal
wantoned; wantoning; wantons
: to be wanton or act wantonly (see wanton entry 1)
: to pass or waste wantonly or in wantonness
wantoner
noun
Synonyms
Examples of wanton in a Sentence
Adjective
No artist should be subjected to this much wanton affection: it's unseemly, like being hugged by a stranger who won't let go.
—
James Wolcott, New Republic, 30 Aug. 2004
I also wrote that innocent people would die as a consequence of the wanton, lawless destruction of medical stocks in a dirt-poor country.
—Christopher Hitchens, Nation, 31 May 1999
While I was happy to find Mr. Pollan firmly allied with those of us who oppose the wanton broadcast of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers on lawn and garden, I wish he had lingered a little longer over this vital subject.
—Maxine Kumin, New York Times Book Review, 9 June 1991
Vandals were guilty of the wanton destruction of the school property.
They were accused of wanton cruelty toward animals.
He showed a wanton disregard for his friend's feelings.
a life of wanton luxury
Noun
He practiced the anathema he would hurl at her from his pulpit when her shame was known—hussy, slut, harlot and wanton featured heavily …
—James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
During the middle years of their marriage … his campaign to free his bride so that she could become a wanton had languished.
—Andrew M. Greeley, Ascent into Hell, 1983
My informal education had begun the afternoon in Belleville Park when I discovered that girls were wantons willing to sneak away to shaded glades to be kissed.
—Russell Baker, Growing Up, 1982
quite the wanton when he wants to be
Verb
It might well be, said Mrs McNab, wantoning on with her memories; they had friends in eastern countries; gentlemen staying there, ladies in evening dress; she had seen them once through the dining-room door all sitting at dinner.
—Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse, 1927
… for Nature here / Wantoned as in her prime and played at will / Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss.
—John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1667
James Wolcott, New Republic, 30 Aug. 2004
I also wrote that innocent people would die as a consequence of the wanton, lawless destruction of medical stocks in a dirt-poor country.
—Christopher Hitchens, Nation, 31 May 1999
While I was happy to find Mr. Pollan firmly allied with those of us who oppose the wanton broadcast of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers on lawn and garden, I wish he had lingered a little longer over this vital subject.
—Maxine Kumin, New York Times Book Review, 9 June 1991
Vandals were guilty of the wanton destruction of the school property.
They were accused of wanton cruelty toward animals.
He showed a wanton disregard for his friend's feelings.
a life of wanton luxury
Noun
He practiced the anathema he would hurl at her from his pulpit when her shame was known—hussy, slut, harlot and wanton featured heavily …
—James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
During the middle years of their marriage … his campaign to free his bride so that she could become a wanton had languished.
—Andrew M. Greeley, Ascent into Hell, 1983
My informal education had begun the afternoon in Belleville Park when I discovered that girls were wantons willing to sneak away to shaded glades to be kissed.
—Russell Baker, Growing Up, 1982
quite the wanton when he wants to be
Verb
It might well be, said Mrs McNab, wantoning on with her memories; they had friends in eastern countries; gentlemen staying there, ladies in evening dress; she had seen them once through the dining-room door all sitting at dinner.
—Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse, 1927
… for Nature here / Wantoned as in her prime and played at will / Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss.
—John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1667
Recent Examples on the Web
Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024
But to have a wanton act of violence kill 15 innocent people — on New Year’s Day, no less — is new in the worst way.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 12 Dec. 2024
He is charged with wanton endangerment, endangering the welfare of a minor and leaving the scene of an accident.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024
David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Penny did not do this: Neely created the risk by menacing passengers on the train, and Penny’s actions were not wanton.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wanton 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Adjective
The practice of slavery continued long after the abolition of the slave trade by France in 1818, with enslavers supported by the state for acts of astonishing, wanton violence.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024
But to have a wanton act of violence kill 15 innocent people — on New Year’s Day, no less — is new in the worst way.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
Cosgrove and Mattingly were not charged, but Hankison was tried on several counts of wanton endangerment over bullets that entered a neighboring apartment.
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 12 Dec. 2024
He is charged with wanton endangerment, endangering the welfare of a minor and leaving the scene of an accident.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
Patel is charged with complicity to kidnapping, assault and wanton endangerment.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Penny did not do this: Neely created the risk by menacing passengers on the train, and Penny’s actions were not wanton.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wanton
Articles Related to wanton
Dictionary Entries Near wanton
Cite this Entry
“Wanton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wanton. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
wanton
adjective
wan·ton
ˈwänt-ᵊn, ˈwȯnt- 
: manifesting extreme indifference to a risk of injury to another that is known or should have been known : characterized by knowledge of and utter disregard for probability of resulting harm
a wanton act
by such wanton or willful misconduct
see also reckless
Note: Wanton, reckless, and willful are often used to refer to an aggravated level of negligence that borders on intent and that is often ground for an award of punitive damages.
wantonly
adverb
wantonness
noun
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