as in spendthrift
someone who spends money freely or foolishly
he's a spender and she's a tightwad, so naturally they quarrel about money a lot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spender
Forest have spent almost £600million in the past five years, according to data collection site Transfermarkt, which is actually more than Villa and places them ninth in the Premier League spenders list over that period.
—
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The stock market gains that Alphabet is producing are not being matched by other big AI spenders such as Microsoft and Facebook parent Meta Platforms, whose stock price plunged by about 6% in extended trading after disclosing an investment strategy being second guessed by investors.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Germany led the pack as the largest military spender, putting aside 24 percent more in 2025 compared with the year prior at $114 billion.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 27 Apr. 2026
But as a frequent convention attendee (and spender), the heart of merchandise at SacAnime is in the artist alley.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Some estimates show that China was among the lowest research spenders worldwide in 1980.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
Although there will be salary exceptions such as veteran minimum contracts to help fill a spot or two, the Magic won’t be able to be heavy spenders in free agency in their current financial situation.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
The other top spenders were the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and Urban Center.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
In analysis published by AdImpact, Rick Jackson is the leading Republican for ad spending across the nation, and is one of this election cycle's top ad spenders.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The stock market gains that Alphabet is producing are not being matched by other big AI spenders such as Microsoft and Facebook parent Meta Platforms, whose stock price plunged by about 6% in extended trading after disclosing an investment strategy being second guessed by investors.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Germany led the pack as the largest military spender, putting aside 24 percent more in 2025 compared with the year prior at $114 billion.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 27 Apr. 2026
But as a frequent convention attendee (and spender), the heart of merchandise at SacAnime is in the artist alley.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Some estimates show that China was among the lowest research spenders worldwide in 1980.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
Although there will be salary exceptions such as veteran minimum contracts to help fill a spot or two, the Magic won’t be able to be heavy spenders in free agency in their current financial situation.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
The other top spenders were the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and Urban Center.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
In analysis published by AdImpact, Rick Jackson is the leading Republican for ad spending across the nation, and is one of this election cycle's top ad spenders.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spender
Noun
-
These restrictions include spendthrift provisions in trust.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The split screen of Bezos and his spendthrift wife, Lauren Sánchez, frolicking everywhere — including Paris Fashion Week — while the tech mogul defiles the crown jewel nurtured by Ben Bradlee and Kay Graham is sickening.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The state Department of Environmental Protection is responding and will assist in the safe disposal of waster materials generated during the cleanup Morrisey said.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Start with your biggest time waster and build from there.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Delery ruminates on her wastrel youth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
-
He was raised on Chicago’s North Side by a wastrel father and a mother who struggled to put food on their table.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Twenty-six James Bond films (the 25 Eon joints, plus the prodigal Never Say Never Again) are coming to Netflix this month.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Secrets are revealed, prodigals return, intolerances surface and family bonds are tested.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spender. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
