Origin of wanton
1250–1300; Middle English wantowen literally, undisciplined, ill-reared, Old English wan- not + togen past participle of tēon to discipline, rear, cognate with German ziehen, Latin dūcere to lead; akin to tow1
Synonyms for wanton
1. malicious. 2. calculated. 3. heedless, inconsiderate. 4. licentious, dissolute, immoral, libidinous, concupiscent, lustful. 5. lavish. 10. waste.
Antonyms for wanton
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for unwanton
Historical Examples of unwanton
O Philocalia, in heavy sadness and unwanton phrase, there lies all the brain-work.
The Works of John MarstonJohn Marston
wanton
adjective
noun
verb
Word Origin for wanton
C13 wantowen (in the obsolete sense: unmanageable, unruly): from wan- (prefix equivalent to un- 1; related to Old English wanian to wane) + -towen, from Old English togen brought up, from tēon to bring up
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper