wantonness

UK: /ˈwɒntənnɪs/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

wan•ton /ˈwɑntən/   adj. 

1. not thinking of what is right or proper;
   inhumane:
   wanton cruelty.
2. without motive;
   unprovoked:
   a wanton attack.
3. sexually loose;
   lascivious.
4. extravagant or excessive:
   wanton luxury.

n. [countable]

5. a wanton person, esp. a lascivious woman.

wan•ton•ly, adv. 
wan•ton•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

wan•ton  (won′tn), adj. 

1. done, shown, used, etc., maliciously or unjustifiably:
   a wanton attack; wanton cruelty.
2. deliberate and without motive or provocation;
   uncalled-for;
   headstrong;
   willful:
   Why jeopardize your career in such a wanton way?
3. without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.;
   careless;
   reckless:
   a wanton attacker of religious convictions.
4. sexually lawless or unrestrained;
   loose;
   lascivious;
   lewd:
   wanton behavior.
5. extravagantly or excessively luxurious, as a person, manner of living, or style.
6. luxuriant, as vegetation.
7. [Archaic.]
   • sportive or frolicsome, as children or young animals.
   • having free play:
     wanton breezes; a wanton brook.

n. 

8. a wanton or lascivious person, esp. a woman.

v.i. 

9. to behave in a wanton manner;
   become wanton.

v.t. 

10. to squander, esp. in pleasure (often fol. by away):
    to wanton away one's inheritance.

• 1250–1300; Middle English wantowen literally, undisciplined, ill-reared, Old English wan- not + togen past participle of tēon to discipline, rear, cognate with German ziehen, Latin dūcere to lead; akin to tow¹

wan′ton•ly, adv. 
wan′ton•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. malicious.
• 2. calculated.
• 3. heedless, inconsiderate.
• 4. licentious, dissolute, immoral, libidinous, concupiscent, lustful.
• 5. lavish.
• 10. waste.

Antonyms

• 3. careful, considerate.
• 4, 5. restrained.