wantonly
Americanadverb
-
willfully and thoughtlessly; recklessly.
We wantonly destroy the ecosystem that gives us life when we take out more than it can afford to give.
-
without regard for what is right, just, or humane; maliciously and unjustifiably.
Those who wantonly and cruelly beat, abuse, or ill-treat these animals will be punished.
-
in a sensually loose or unrestrained way.
A single day lived virtuously is worth more than a hundred years lived wantonly and without discipline.
-
in an extravagant or excessively luxurious way.
Nations cannot continue to spend wantonly, hoping for a bailout that may not come.
-
in a prolific or uncontrolled way.
A swarm of Asian carp are advancing up the Illinois River, breeding wantonly and gorging on plankton.
Etymology
Origin of wantonly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lost her, forsook her, Wantonly flung her off.
From Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10): The Loyal Subject by Beaumont, Francis
Wantonly I held between two fingers fine My gem above the sparkling brine, Only to see it gleam Across the stream.
From Donahoe's Magazine, Volume XV, No. 3 Volume XV (Jan 1886-Jul 1886) by Various
Wantonly to shock the religious feelings of your neighbor is a grievous wrong.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Ingersoll, Robert Green
Wantonly mut. in headings of the Gospels, and in Mark i. 1-19; Luke i. 1-18; John i. 1-23.
From A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, Vol. I. by Scrivener, Frederick Henry Ambrose
Wantonly to destroy, for mere sport, the innocent life, in lake and river, seemed to me a cruelty and a shame.
From Gala-days by Hamilton, Gail
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
