profligacy

noun

prof·​li·​ga·​cy ˈprä-fli-gə-sē 

: the quality or state of being profligate

Synonyms of profligacy

• corruption
• immorality
• sin
• sinfulness
• evil

Examples of profligacy in a Sentence

a religious leader who railed against the profligacy of the nation's decadent aristocrats

Recent Examples on the Web

Decades of fiscal profligacy, including the costs of an extended conflict with Japan in Korea, had drained the imperial treasury. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

His first-half profligacy, at odds with his attacking threat, exemplified that notion. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Such profligacy slows real income growth, deters hiring, discourages innovation and drives up interest rates. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026

California’s profligacy in state funding during the Newsom era has been made possible by its high tax rates, as evidenced by its 48th overall ranking in the 2025 Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index. — Jim Doti, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for profligacy

• efficacy
• malagasy
• assay
• bassi
• brassey
• brassy
• cassie
• chassis
• classy
• gassy
• glassy
• grassy

Kids Definition

profligacy

noun

prof·​li·​ga·​cy ˈpräf-li-gə-sē 

: the quality or state of being profligate