wilder

verb

wil·​der ˈwil-dər How to pronounce wilder (audio)
wildered; wildering; wilders

transitive verb

1
archaic : to lead astray
2
archaic : bewilder, perplex

intransitive verb

archaic : to move at random : wander
wilderment noun archaic

Examples of wilder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Europe, though, continued to get wilder and wilder versions of the Pantera, many of which are fair game for importation into the U.S. today. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2025 Ribas’ hands and movement were much crisper than that of Dern, whose movement was awkward and punches were slower and wilder than those of her foe. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025 The plot of season four will almost certainly go to some even wilder places. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025 History itself, of course, is different from what any of these narratives suppose, and wilder. Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wilder 

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from wilderness

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wilder was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near wilder

Cite this Entry

“Wilder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wilder. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Biographical Definition

Wilder 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Wil·​der ˈwī(-ə)l-dər How to pronounce Wilder (audio)
Billy 1906–2002 born Samuel Wilder American (Polish-born) filmmaker

Wilder

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Laura Ingalls 1867–1957 née Laura Ingalls American author

Wilder

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Thornton Niven 1897–1975 American author

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