as in to spend
to use up carelessly
warned that a childhood spent hanging around indoors was a misspent youth indeed
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Recent Examples of misspend
Visit our website Between 2016 and 2020, Mississippi organizations that received TANF funding to conduct things like workforce development and teen pregnancy prevention misspent or stole at least $77 million.
—
Bryce Covert, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2026
An audit report released in October found that a manager with Austin Water misspent $78,000 to pay contractors for unauthorized services.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Remember when Massachusetts misspent about $2.5 billion in CARES Act funds (under former Gov. Charlie Baker)?
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 Dec. 2025
There are literally a million better ways to stop food waste than partnering with a family that has been convicted of felonies for misspending nonprofit money.
—Emily Barnes, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misspend
Bryce Covert, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2026
An audit report released in October found that a manager with Austin Water misspent $78,000 to pay contractors for unauthorized services.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Remember when Massachusetts misspent about $2.5 billion in CARES Act funds (under former Gov. Charlie Baker)?
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 Dec. 2025
There are literally a million better ways to stop food waste than partnering with a family that has been convicted of felonies for misspending nonprofit money.
—Emily Barnes, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misspend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misspend
Verb
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In the courtroom, Alfortish’s face looked gaunt after spending roughly a year in prison, and his hair, thinning now, had gone white.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Scott and Peggy Oppenheimer spent over $2,000 for the VIP treatment, which includes unlimited beverages.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Celtics lost to Orlando early in the year, but swept the final three meetings between the two teams.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Overcrowding, strong winds and rough seas caused the vessel to lose control and sink, the agencies said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misspend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misspend. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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