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

Take a look at who is spending tax money responsibly — on ballfields, water-quality projects, help for victims of crime, no-kill animal shelters and other popular priorities — and who is being wasteful. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Republican response But conservatives said those policies inflated enrollment by attracting fraudulent and wasteful coverage. — Christine Mai-Duc, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026

According to last year’s audit, the school’s wasteful spending included roughly $2 million on employee trips to San Diego, $80,000 for travel to Maui and $2,600 for a trip to France. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026

People-helping organizations that serve the most vulnerable in our communities don’t intend to be wasteful. — Ryan Dewey Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 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