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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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
Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2024
Additionally, the reality star and entrepreneur is facing charges of negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 8 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
Hankison was acquitted of multiple wanton endangerment state charges in March 2022.
—Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2024
Additionally, the reality star and entrepreneur is facing charges of negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wanton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanton
Adjective
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The planet continuing to tilt is because humans are pumping and moving an obscene amount of groundwater across the planet and redistributing it, according to the study's press release.Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
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The withdrawal of Matt Gaetz’ nomination to be Attorney General — the equivalent of an obscene gesture toward the Senate – suggests that some preservation instincts of co-exist along with doubts as to the strength of its backbone.Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Hannah is particularly passionate about beauty and wellness as a force for good that can lift our...Hannah Coates, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
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Harry has been a passionate player for decades, often competing side by side with his brother, Prince William.Clara Strunck, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The in-person aspects of the contest have remained generally positive, but online, with each new addition, the very nature of commenting on people’s bodies, looks, and attractiveness is basically heavy bait for someone to eventually say something cruel.CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2024
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Yet some began to blanch at this cruel ostentation.Tim Gallagher, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Especially as Asia’s most stable democracy flirts with chaos.William Pesek, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
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Galleria Continua’s proposition for Oh La La! flirts with provocation and banks on contrast and duality.Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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The men would make vulgar comments to her, or about her, even in her presence.Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Nov. 2024
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As reactions to Biden’s reaction began to fly, meanwhile, Trump was asked in an interview Tuesday night with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity about the racist and vulgar joke at his New York rally.Will Weissert, Twin Cities, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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What's hot in kids toys this holiday season — and what to avoid Trump tariffs on Canada imports could bring sharply higher gas prices What businesses are open and closed on Thanksgiving Day?Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 Nov. 2024
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As the mug gets hot, an image from the game appears.G Kirilloff, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Tyson was known for his brutal knockouts, as his first 19 fights ended early — 12 in the first round.Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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In our age of brutal wars, authoritarian politics, cultures of contempt, and technology that promises to replace us with machines, what is left of the idea of the human being?George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 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 3 Dec. 2024.
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