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

Signing Matt Targett for £15m was wasteful, as was the hit taken on Wood. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Personalization can reduce wasteful discounting, loyalty points can lower a guest’s out-of-pocket cost, and optional extras can help owners generate incremental margin. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Williams’s platform is based on restoring law and order, school choice, cutting wasteful government spending, and expanding the American dream. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Effects of laws against idling In short, anti-idling laws target potentially severe pollution health risks from what is generally a wasteful practice of convenience. — Richard Marcantonio, The Conversation, 31 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