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Antonyms for wanton
| Grammar : Adj, noun |
| Spell : won-tn |
| Phonetic Transcription : ˈwɒn tn |
Definition 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
- 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
Synonyms for wanton
- abandoned
- accidentally on purpose
- arbitrary
- capricious
- changeable
- contrary
- debauchee
- devil-may-care
- double-crossing
- evil
- extravagant
- fanciful
- fast
- fickle
- fitful
- fluctuating
- free
- frivolous
- gratuitous
- groundless
- heedless
- hot and cold
- immoderate
- inconsiderate
- inconstant
- intemperate
- lavish
- lax
- lewd
- libertine
- libidinous
- licentious
- malevolent
- mean
- merciless
- motiveless
- needless
- ornery
- outrageous
- perverse
- prodigal
- profligate
- profuse
- promiscuous
- rake
- rash
- reckless
- senseless
- shameless
- speedy
- spendthrift
- spiteful
- spoiled
- thriftless
- unasked
- uncalled-for
- unfair
- unfettered
- unjust
- unjustifiable
- unjustified
- unprincipled
- unprovoked
- unreserved
- unrestrained
- unscrupulous
- up and down
- variable
- vicious
- volatile
- wasteful
- wayward
- whimsical
- wicked
- wild
- willful
- X-rated
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019