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

Davinson Sanchez — Colombia/Galatasaray (-5) Sanchez helped keep out a relatively limited Swiss attack to ensure that Colombia made it to penalties despite their profligacy in front of goal. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 July 2026

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

Such profligacy slows real income growth, deters hiring, discourages innovation and drives up interest rates. — Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 29 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