wanton murder

USAGE SUMMARY

'wanton murder' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the killing of someone without provocation, usually implying an unjustified, immoral, and intentional act. For example: "The authorities are determined to bring the perpetrator of the wanton murder to justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Legal

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The writer of an Oct. 14 letter that called to "execution duty" those who support the death penalty should herself first witness a wanton murder of a helpless victim, often pleading to be spared, only to be killed mercilessly.

The New York Times

Gen. Stephen Lanza, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, said in an e-mail Tuesday that the political impasse "fosters and encourages violent extremism, such as that seen in today's wanton murder of those volunteering to serve their country" and that he expects attacks to continue until it is resolved.

The Washington Post

However, just because Israel deserves castigating for its behaviour over the years does not mean that Hamas is immune from reprimand: attacks on Israel for the brutal occupation and on Hamas for its wanton murder of civilians are not mutually exclusive concepts, and anyone who thinks that they are only makes matters worse – especially in these dark days of Cast Lead.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1980, Irish prime minister Charles Haughey condemned the killing of the Irishmen as "wanton murder," and the UN Security Council said it amounted to "cold-blooded murder".

Vice

"Sovereignty cannot be a shield for tyrants to commit wanton murder, or an excuse for the international community to turn a blind eye to slaughter," he said.

The New York Times

But sovereignty cannot be a shield for tyrants to commit wanton murder, or an excuse for the international community to turn a blind eye to slaughter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Plus – and don't tell them this – there are almost definitely other people working on nanotechnology outside of Mexico, so a couple of wanton murders probably aren't going to change a lot.    .

Vice

As a white person, I am not asked to consider the wanton murders of young black men by white cops or white civilians, or the white terrorism of shootings in gurudwaras, as directly relevant to my identity.

Vice

As a white person, I am not asked to consider the wanton murders of young black men by white cops or white civilians, or the white terrorism of shootings in gurdwaras, as directly relevant to my identity.

Vice

Nor does he minimise the vileness of Islamist terrorism that seeks to inflict indiscriminate and wanton mass murder.

The Economist

The campaign to turn the city into a symbol began within days of the bombing: Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi minister of propaganda, told reporters in neutral countries that Dresden had no war industries, and that the raid was an act of cultural desecration and wanton mass murder.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wanton murder", ensure the context clearly indicates the act was unjustified and without regard for the victim's life. This emphasizes the severity and moral reprehensibility of the crime.

Common error

Avoid using "wanton murder" in contexts where the details of the crime are unclear or speculative. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and create a sensationalized tone, especially if the "wanton" aspect is not fully substantiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanton murder" functions as a noun phrase, where "wanton" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "murder". It describes a specific type of killing characterized by its lack of justification or provocation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

20%

Legal

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wanton murder" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an utterly unjustified and malicious killing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in the English language. While not exceptionally common, it appears primarily in news, legal contexts, and opinion pieces, reflecting its serious and condemning tone. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the act was without reason and morally reprehensible to distinguish it from other forms of unlawful killing like manslaughter or premeditated murder. Alternatives like "senseless killing" or "brutal slaying" can be used depending on the aspect you wish to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cold-blooded killing

Stresses the lack of emotion or empathy in the act.

senseless killing

Focuses on the lack of logical reason or justification for the act.

unprovoked homicide

Highlights the absence of any preceding action that could justify the killing.

brutal slaying

Emphasizes the violent and cruel nature of the killing.

merciless execution

Focuses on the lack of compassion or pity in the killing.

premeditated murder

Focuses on the planning and intention behind the killing, as opposed to a spur-of-the-moment act.

savage act

Highlights the brutality and ferocity of the deed.

gratuitous violence

Highlights that the violence was unnecessary and excessive.

criminal killing

Simply focuses on the unlawful aspect of the act.

heinous crime

Emphasizes the shocking and evil nature of the act.

FAQs

How to use "wanton murder" in a sentence?

Use "wanton murder" to describe a killing that is utterly unjustified, malicious, or without apparent reason. For example, "The attack was described as a "wanton murder" by witnesses."

What can I say instead of "wanton murder"?

You can use alternatives like "senseless killing", "brutal slaying", or "unprovoked homicide", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Which is correct, "wanton murder" or "premeditated murder"?

"Wanton murder" implies a motiveless and unjustified killing, whereas "premeditated murder" suggests the killing was planned in advance. They describe different aspects of a murder.

What's the difference between "wanton murder" and "manslaughter"?

"Wanton murder" implies a deliberate and unjustified act, while "manslaughter" often involves unintentional or accidental killings, or killings committed under mitigating circumstances like provocation.