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Synonyms for wanton


Grammar : Adj, noun
Spell : won-tn
Phonetic Transcription : ˈwɒn tn

Top 10 synonyms for wanton Other synonyms for the word wanton

Définition of wanton

Origin :
  • c.1300, wan-towen, "resistant to control; willful," from Middle English privative prefix wan- "wanting, lacking" (from Old English wan "wanting;" see wane) + togen, past participle of teon "to train, discipline;" literally "to pull, draw," from Proto-Germanic *teuhan (cf. Old High German ziohan "to pull;" see tug). The basic notion perhaps is "ill-bred, poorly brought up;" cf. German ungezogen "ill-bred, rude, haughty," literally "unpulled."
  • As Flies to wanton Boyes are we to th' Gods, They kill vs for their sport. [Shakespeare, "Lear," 1605]
  • Especially of sexual indulgence from late 14c. The only English survival of a once-common Germanic negating prefix still active in Dutch (cf. wanbestuur "misgovernment," wanluid "discordant sound"), German (wahn-), etc. Related: Wantonly; wantonness.
  • adj extravagant, lustful
  • adj cruel, malicious
  • adj careless
  • noun profligate person
Example sentences :
  • How could I have imagined that a young noble would be grateful, or a wanton true?
  • Extract from : « The Man Shakespeare » by Frank Harris
  • This language is wanton cruelty,—it is fiendish insult,—is it not, Evelyn?
  • Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • But I wad sing on wanton wing, When youthfu' May its bloom renew'd.
  • Extract from : « The Letters of Robert Burns » by Robert Burns
  • Wherefore a man ought not to play the wanton, but should learn in season.
  • Extract from : « Albert Durer » by T. Sturge Moore
  • Faithful had been assailed by 'Wanton,' and had been obliged to fly from her.
  • Extract from : « Bunyan » by James Anthony Froude
  • But the wanton lures me to a village far from the road on the other side of the gorge.
  • Extract from : « The Book of Khalid » by Ameen Rihani
  • Why, all being as you say, should he work so wanton a destruction?
  • Extract from : « The Shame of Motley » by Raphael Sabatini
  • "'Twas that wanton at Malpas was the cause of all," he complained.
  • Extract from : « The Sea-Hawk » by Raphael Sabatini
  • There was a wanton insolence in the spirit of this outrage which appalled even me.
  • Extract from : « A Set of Six » by Joseph Conrad
  • Lay all of these wanton and vain-glorious notions out of your head.
  • Extract from : « The Indian Fairy Book » by Cornelius Mathews

Antonyms for wanton

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019