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
ˈwil-dər-mənt How to pronounce wilder (audio)
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.
The coastline feels wilder, the pace slower, the sunsets somehow longer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026 When his demands are presented to the police and the FBI, things get even wilder. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 22 May 2026 Then there's Nancy Wheeler, who goes from wide-eyed girl next door to gun-slinging badass—and her hair has become bigger and wilder to match. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026 That’s not to say the Friars are going to win the whole thing, but wilder things have happened on an NCAA court around this time of year. — Takashi Williams, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026 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

Rhymes for wilder

See All Rhymes for wilder

Browse Nearby Words

wild emmer
wilder
Wilder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wilder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wilder. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on wilder

Nglish: Translation of wilder for Spanish Speakers

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