wanton
Wanton (adj) means Deliberately careless or cruel, showing no regard for consequences or morality. Example: “The report criticized the company's wanton disregard for worker safety.”
How to use wanton
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRecklessly disregarding right and wrong, or (older sense) sexually unrestrained.
Don't confuse with "wonton," the Chinese dumpling — they sound alike but are unrelated.
Word forms
more wanton comparative, wantoner comparative, wantoned past tense, wantons plural, wanton plural, wantons plural, wantons singular, most wanton superlative, wantonest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The report criticized the company's _____ disregard for worker safety.
Etymology
From Middle English wantoun, built from wan- ("un-") plus a word meaning "trained" or "disciplined" — literally "undisciplined."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wanton
See all rhymes for wanton →Frequently asked questions
What does “wanton” mean?
The word “wanton” means deliberately careless or cruel, showing no regard for consequences or morality.
How do you pronounce “wanton”?
“Wanton” is pronounced WON-tuhn (/ˈwɑntən/ in IPA).
How do you use “wanton” in a sentence?
Here is “wanton” used in a sentence: “The report criticized the company's wanton disregard for worker safety.”
What is another word for “wanton”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wanton” include anarchic, anarchical, bratty, chaotic, difficult and dionysiac.
What is the opposite of “wanton”?
The opposite of “wanton” — its antonyms — are apollonian, constrained, disciplined, inhibited and repressible.
What part of speech is “wanton”?
“Wanton” is an adjective.
Where does the word “wanton” come from?
The word “wanton” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wantoun, built from wan- ("un-") plus a word meaning "trained" or "disciplined" — literally "undisciplined.".
How many meanings does “wanton” have?
“Wanton” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deliberately careless or cruel, showing no regard for consequences or morality.