wanton

American  

[won-tn] / ˈwɒn tn /

adjective

1. done, shown, used, etc., maliciously or unjustifiably.

   a wanton attack; wanton cruelty.

   Synonyms:

   malicious

2. deliberate and without motive or provocation; uncalled-for; headstrong; willful.

   Why jeopardize your career in such a wanton way?

   Synonyms:

   calculated

3. without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.; careless; reckless.

   a wanton attacker of religious convictions.

   Synonyms:

   inconsiderate, heedless

   Antonyms:

   considerate, careful

4. sexually lawless or unrestrained; loose; lascivious; lewd.

   wanton behavior.

   Synonyms:

   lustful, concupiscent, libidinous, immoral, dissolute, licentious

   Antonyms:

   restrained

5. extravagantly or excessively luxurious, as a person, manner of living, or style.

   Synonyms:

   lavish

   Antonyms:

   restrained

6. luxuriant, as vegetation.

7. Archaic.

   1. sportive or frolicsome, as children or young animals.

   2. having free play.

      wanton breezes; a wanton brook.

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noun

1. a wanton or lascivious person, especially a woman.

verb (used without object)

1. to behave in a wanton manner; become wanton.

verb (used with object)

1. to squander, especially in pleasure (often followed byaway ).

   to wanton away one's inheritance.

   Synonyms:

   waste

wanton British  

/ ˈwɒntən /

adjective

1. dissolute, licentious, or immoral

2. without motive, provocation, or justification

   wanton destruction

3. maliciously and unnecessarily cruel or destructive

4. unrestrained

   wanton spending

5. archaic playful or capricious

6. archaic (of vegetation, etc) luxuriant or superabundant

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noun

1. a licentious person, esp a woman

2. a playful or capricious person

verb

1. (intr) to behave in a wanton manner

2. (tr) to squander or waste

Other Word Forms

• unwanton adjective
• wantonly adverb
• wantonness noun

Etymology

Origin of wanton

First recorded in 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 tow ¹

Explanation

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. Wanton comes from the Old English wan- "lacking" and togen "to train, discipline," in other words, "lacking in discipline." Wanton extravagance is excessive and uncontrolled, whereas a wanton act of terrorism is random and intentionally cruel. Sometimes in older novels, you will see wanton used as a disapproving term to describe someone viewed as promiscuous, a usage that is considered old-fashioned today.

Example Sentences

What we don’t have time for is all the ridiculous ways we allow precious minutes to die from wanton distraction or discourteous delays.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

But it’s mostly a smart exploration of these two types: the wanton destroyer who relishes chaos and the wise, patient healer looking to preserve and protect.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Pyongyang described his removal as a "wanton violation of the UN Charter and international laws with respect for sovereignty, non-interference and territorial integrity as their main purpose".

From Barron's • Jan. 4, 2026

Mr Goozee, who handed each of them a 12-month community order, said the pair had committed "an act of wanton vandalism".

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025

He laughed quietly, his sunken, shrewd eyes sparkling perceptively with a cynical and wanton enjoyment.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• arbitrary
• gratuitous
• needless
• senseless
• unjust
• unjustifiable
• unjustified
• unprovoked
• vicious
• willful