conspicuous consumption

noun

: lavish or wasteful spending thought to enhance social prestige

Examples of conspicuous consumption in a Sentence

a culture of conspicuous consumption
Recent Examples on the Web One striking trend would be embracing sustainable and eco-friendly fashion, a testament to the party’s awareness of a younger, more environmentally conscious electorate more averse to conspicuous consumption. Essence, 17 Aug. 2024 Vance’s critique of conspicuous consumption among the poor is something everyone should consider. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024 After all, mob wife aesthetic is conspicuous consumption. Vanessa Rosales Altamar, refinery29.com, 11 Mar. 2024 An abrupt drop in the sale of luxury goods after the campaign began suggests a temporary restraint in bribery and conspicuous consumption. Yuen Yuen Ang, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021 See all Example Sentences for conspicuous consumption 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conspicuous consumption.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conspicuous consumption was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near conspicuous consumption

Cite this Entry

“Conspicuous consumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspicuous%20consumption. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on conspicuous consumption

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