wantonest

Adjective

wanton (comparative more wanton or wantoner, superlative most wanton or wantonest)

1. (archaic) Undisciplined, unruly; not able to be controlled.
   • As Flies to wanton Boyes are we to th' Gods, / They kill us for their sport.c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...

   Synonyms:

   anarchic, rampant

2. (obsolete) Playful, sportive; merry or carefree.
   • The grave simplicity of the philosopher was ill calculated to engage her wanton levity, or to fix that unbounded passion for variety, which often discovered personal merit in the meanest of mankind.1776, Edward Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, volume 1

   Synonyms:

   coltish, frisky, frolicsome, abuzz, active, agile, airy, alive, animate, animated

3. Lewd, immoral; sexually open, unchaste.
   • if wenches will hang out lures for fellows, it is no matter what they suffer: I detest such creatures; and it would be much better for them that their faces had been seamed with the smallpox: but I must confess I never saw any of this wanton behaviour in poor Jenny [...].1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   lewd, lustful, unchaste, ablaze, amorous, aroused, buckish, concupiscent, corny, desirous

4. Capricious, reckless of morality, justice etc.; acting without regard for the law or the well-being of others; gratuitous.
   • Edward himself, now thoroughly enlightened on her character, had no scruple in believing her capable of the utmost meanness of wanton ill-nature.1811, [Jane Austen], Sense and Sensibility […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] C[harles] Roworth, […], and published by T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   callous, inhumane, merciless, unjustified

5. (archaic) Extravagant, unrestrained, excessive.
   • the market price will rise more or less above the natural price, according as either the greatness of the deficiency, or the wealth and wanton luxury of the competitors, happen to animate more or less the eagerness of the competition.1776, Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations, Book I

   Synonyms:

   lavish, luxuriant, prodigal, devilish, excessive, horrendous, de trop, extravagant, extreme, immoderate

See all 13 meanings of wanton