wilder

[ wil-der ]

/ ˈwɪl dər /

Archaic.

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See synonyms for wilder on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to cause to lose one's way.

to bewilder.

verb (used without object)

to lose one's way.

to be bewildered.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of wilder

First recorded in 1605–15; perhaps extracted from wilderness; intransitive use probably by association with wander

OTHER WORDS FROM wilder

wil·der·ment, noun

Words nearby wilder

wild dog, Wilde, Wildean, wildebeest, Wilde, Oscar, wilder, wilderness, wilderness area, Wilderness Road, Wilder, Thornton, wild-eyed

Other definitions for wilder (2 of 3)

wilder²

[ wahyl-der ]

/ ˈwaɪl dər /

adjective

comparative of wild.

Other definitions for wilder (3 of 3)

Wilder

[ wahyl-der ]

/ ˈwaɪl dər /

noun

Billy Samuel Wilder, 1906–2002, U.S. film director, producer, and writer; born in Austria.

Laura In·galls

[ing-guhlz], /ˈɪŋ gəlz/, 1867–1957, U.S. writer of children's books.

Thorn·ton (Niv·en)

[thawrn-tn niv-uhn], /ˈθɔrn tn ˈnɪv ən/, 1897–1975, U.S. novelist and playwright.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wilder in a sentence

By midday on May 26, more than 160 AP employees had signed an open letter denouncing Wilder’s termination and requesting management provide clarity on how she violated AP’s social media policy.
Media Briefing: Media companies’ DE&I efforts are still falling short|Tim Peterson|May 27, 2021|Digiday
Wilder was not told which of her social media posts had violated company policy, she said, just that “I had showed clear bias.”
The Associated Press terminates new staffer amid uproar over tweets about Israel and Palestinians, sparking backlash|Jeremy Barr|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
Wilder believes the Associated Press acted in response to those high-profile pieces of criticism.
The Associated Press terminates new staffer amid uproar over tweets about Israel and Palestinians, sparking backlash|Jeremy Barr|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
So Wilder should be able to enjoy this thing for at least a year before he grows out of it.
A Bad Uncle's Guide to Dangerous Gifts for Kids|Wes Siler|December 11, 2020|Outside Online

So, naturally, I gave my best friend’s son, Wilder, his first Hog for his second birthday.
A Bad Uncle's Guide to Dangerous Gifts for Kids|Wes Siler|December 11, 2020|Outside Online
Was the blackface scene with Gene Wilder in Silver Streak an important step in how American audiences view minstrelsy?
How Richard Pryor Beat Bill Cosby and Transformed America|David Yaffe, Scott Saul|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Douglas Wilder became the first African American governor of any state since Reconstruction in Virginia in 1990.
The Unsung Heroism of Jesse Jackson|David Masciotra|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some of the wilder criticisms of me notwithstanding, my column Monday made two basic points.
The Bowe Bergdahl Story Is Right-Wing Crack|Michael Tomasky|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Young Frankenstein, there is a scene in which Gene Wilder throws a dart and misses the target.
Mel Brooks Is Always Funny and Often Wise in This 1975 Playboy Interview|Alex Belth|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Zero Mostel gets Gene Wilder, Frank Langella gets Ron Moody, Gene Wilder gets Cleavon Little.
Mel Brooks Is Always Funny and Often Wise in This 1975 Playboy Interview|Alex Belth|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was difficult to describe—a little sterner, a little wilder, a faint emphasis of the barbaric peering through it.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
It may be that wilder and stronger birds tear him in pieces; that the frost and rain may chill his body, unused to exposure.
Black Diamonds|Mr Jkai
Wilder slowly drew himself up and looked inquiringly at Tootles.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Wilder flung a slipper across the room that missed Tootles head and clattered among the paint-brushes.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Wilder drew forth half a bottle of milk, an open tin of potted ham and several portions of bread.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for wilder (1 of 2)

wilder

/ (ˈwɪldə) /

verb archaic

to lead or be led astray

to bewilder or become bewildered

Derived forms of wilder

wilderment, noun

Word Origin for wilder

C17: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for wilder (2 of 2)

Wilder

/ (ˈwaɪldə) /

noun

Billy, real name Samuel Wilder. 1906–2002, US film director and screenwriter, born in Austria. His films include Double Indemnity (1944), The Lost Weekend (1945), Sunset Boulevard (1950), The Seven Year Itch (1955), Some Like it Hot (1959), The Apartment (1960), and Buddy Buddy (1981)

Thornton. 1897–1975 US novelist and dramatist. His works include the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1927) and the play The Skin of Our Teeth (1942)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

wilder

Origin of wilder

OTHER WORDS FROM wilder

Words nearby wilder

Other definitions for wilder (2 of 3)

Other definitions for wilder (3 of 3)

Words related to wilder

How to use wilder in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wilder (1 of 2)

Derived forms of wilder

Word Origin for wilder

British Dictionary definitions for wilder (2 of 2)