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- pronunciation:
- wan
t
 n
- parts of speech:
- adjective, noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective)
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
characterized by malice and injustice.
The invaders attacked the villagers with wanton brutality.The men hurled wanton insults at each other.- synonyms:
- malicious, merciless
- similar words:
- beastly, brutal, brutish, cruel, evil, inhuman, malevolent, perverse, savage, spiteful, unjust, vicious
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| definition 2: |
disregarding what is considered right and humane; unjustifiable.
They were charged with the wanton bombing of civilians.- synonyms:
- gratuitous, inhumane, unjustifiable
- antonyms:
- justifiable
- similar words:
- abandoned, groundless, irrational, perverse, senseless, shameless, willful
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| definition 3: |
lacking restraint in the pursuit of sexual pleasure.
The soldiers were rebuked for their wanton behavior while on leave.- synonyms:
- dissipated, lewd, loose, lubricious, lustful, profligate, rakehell, rakish, unchaste
- antonyms:
- continent
- similar words:
- abandoned, debauched, dissolute, horny, intemperate, lascivious, lecherous, libertine, licentious, prurient, randy, salacious, sensual, unrestrained, voluptuous
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| related words: |
fast, free, lewd, loose, profligate, rakish, vagabond, wild |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
a person who lacks restraint, esp. in sexual behavior.
For having this affair, the small town considered her a wanton.- synonyms:
- libertine, profligate
- similar words:
- Don Juan, Jezebel, lothario, nymphomaniac, rake, rakehell, reprobate, roué, satyr, slut, stud
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
wantons, wantoning, wantoned |
| definition: |
to act or conduct oneself in a wanton manner.
- synonyms:
- debauch, dissipate
- similar words:
- indulge, wench, whore
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| related words: |
grovel |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition: |
to spend or use wastefully (often fol. by "away").
He wantoned away his inheritance.- synonyms:
- dissipate, squander, waste
- similar words:
- fritter, misspend
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| derivations: |
wantonly (adv.), wantonness (n.) |
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