squander

1 of 2

verb

squan·​der ˈskwän-dər 

squandered; squandering ˈskwän-d(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to spend extravagantly or foolishly : dissipate, waste

squandered a fortune

2

: to cause to disperse : scatter

3

: to lose (something, such as an advantage or opportunity) through negligence or inaction

intransitive verb

: disperse, scatter

squanderer

ˈskwän-dər-ər 

noun

squander

2 of 2

noun

: an act of squandering

Synonyms of squander

Verb

• spend
• lose
• waste

Examples of squander in a Sentence

Verb

He vowed not to squander this opportunity.

squandered all her money gambling in casinos

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Toronto squandered a sterling performance by Dylan Cease, who allowed two hits and struck out 10 in seven innings. — CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Wendorf argues that humans, particularly high-performing leaders, often squander their finite energy through people-pleasing, unproductive rumination, and worrying about external opinions, leading to burnout. — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Noun

After seeing his team squander chance after chance, Etowah’s Matthew Sharman wasn’t going to waste any opportunity to score. — Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 28 May 2026

Trapping individuals in endless cycles of exclusion and financial hardship squanders potential, reduces tax revenue and widens disparities. — Brian Fabes, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1536, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1709, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for squander

• condor
• fonder
• launder
• mandir
• maunder
• ponder
• wander
• yonder
• responder
• transponder

Kids Definition

squander

verb

squan·​der

ˈskwän-dər

squandered; squandering

-d(ə-)riŋ

: to spend foolishly or wastefully

squandered all her money on video games

squanderer

-dər-ər

noun