wasteful

adjective

waste·​ful ˈwāst-fəl 

: given to or marked by waste : lavish, prodigal

wastefully

ˈwāst-fə-lē 

adverb

wastefulness noun

Synonyms of wasteful

• extravagant
• profligate
• generous
• spendthrift
• unthrifty
• prodigal
• reckless
• careless
• liberal

Examples of wasteful in a Sentence

a wasteful use of natural resources

a careless and wasteful person

We must eliminate wasteful expenditures.

Recent Examples on the Web

The flights were one of six areas the audit identified as wasteful use of taxpayer dollars. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

Some are convenient but wasteful; others are more efficient and better for plants. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026

But the district acknowledged in public meetings and in our interviews that all the water leaking and evaporating along the way is wasteful. — Emily Cureton Cook, ProPublica, 26 June 2026

Water Cost Not only are broadcast sprinklers wasteful, but excess water can be expensive. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 5 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wasteful

• distasteful
• tasteful

Kids Definition

wasteful

adjective

waste·​ful ˈwāst-fəl 

: given to or marked by waste : prodigal

a wasteful use of our natural resources

wastefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

wastefulness noun