wanton
- 01 C2 Proficiency
adj.describes an action that is cruel or destructive for no reason at all.
adj.deliberate and unprovoked; describing a cruel or violent action that is performed without motive or justification.
Simple“The vandals were blamed for the wanton destruction of the old park benches.”
In context“The report condemned the wanton disregard for human life shown by the retreating forces during the final weeks of the conflict.”
UsageCommonly collocates with 'destruction', 'disregard', or 'violence'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C2 Proficiency
adj.growing or living in a wild, uncontrolled, and rich way.
adj.profuse, luxuriant, or unrestrained in growth or appearance.
Simple“The garden was full of wanton weeds that covered the stone paths.”
In context“The poet described the wanton growth of the vines as they strangled the crumbling ruins of the abbey.”
Antonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a person who behaves in a wild, uncontrolled, or immoral way.
n.a person who is self-indulgent, lewd, or behaves without restraint.
Simple“He was known as a young wanton who spent all his money on parties.”
In context“The moralists of the time decried him as a heartless wanton who cared little for his family's reputation.”
Synonymslibertinetrifler - 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to waste time or money on foolish pleasures.
v.to squander or waste something, especially time or resources, in a reckless or self-indulgent manner.
Simple“He chose to wanton away his inheritance on expensive cars and travel.”
In context“Rather than focusing on his studies, he preferred to wanton away his youth in the taverns of the city.”
UsageOften used with the particle 'away'.
“Gangs in Haiti continue to terrorise communities with the “wanton, intentional infliction of incredible pain” on people who often are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Why are Trumpists engaging in what can only be described as an act of wanton self-injury?”
From Middle English wantoun, wantowen, wantoȝen, wantowe (“uneducated; unrestrained; licentious; sportive; playful”), from wan- (“not, un-, mis-”) + towen, i-towen (“educated”, literally “towed; led; drawn”), from Old English togen, ġetogen, past participle of tēon (“to train, discipline”), equivalent to wan- + towed.
Borrowed from Cantonese 雲吞 /云吞 (wan⁴ tan¹).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.