adjective / noun
wanton
WAHN-tun/ˈwɑːntən/
Unrestrained by concern for consequences or accepted standards.
She kicks over the flowering plant in an act of wanton destruction.
Etymology
Lacking training or discipline perhaps originally suggested being poorly brought up. The early sense of being willful and resistant to control connects with the later sense of merciless disregard for harm.
In context
he was found in some ashes with an axe wound in his head then suddenly everyone turned on the norwich Union boys careless with the axe they were called wanton and worse murderers
More examples
- The company shows wanton disregard for its workers' safety.
- The old novel portrays her many love affairs as wanton behavior.
- He insults her by calling her a wanton.
Forms
wanton · wantons
wantonly adverb — Without regard for consequences or accepted standards.
wantonness noun — Lack of restraint or concern for consequences.
Similar words
- reckless
- Emphasizes ignoring danger rather than deliberate harm or excess.
- unrestrained
- Emphasizes lack of limits without necessarily implying harmful intent.
- licentious
- Specifically describes disregard for accepted sexual or moral standards.