as in extravagant
given to spending money freely or foolishly
my one wasteful child always seemed to run out of money by midweek
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wasteful
The move came amid cost-cutting efforts and claims of wasteful spending at the agency, which worked to prevent infectious diseases and supplied medicine and water to people in nations stricken by war, famine and drought.
—
USA Today,
17 June 2026
In response, the Miami-Dade Mayor's office challenged the allegations of wasteful spending.
—
Manuel Bojorquez,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
But without a clear strategy, a flood of money allows the Pentagon to buy now and decide later what best defends the nation, a potentially wasteful approach.
—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
For example, if Democrats were willing to find more economies in programs and curb wasteful spending, Polletta said, Republican support for income tax breaks for renters and families likely would increase significantly.
—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wasteful
USA Today,
17 June 2026
In response, the Miami-Dade Mayor's office challenged the allegations of wasteful spending.
—
Manuel Bojorquez,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
But without a clear strategy, a flood of money allows the Pentagon to buy now and decide later what best defends the nation, a potentially wasteful approach.
—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
For example, if Democrats were willing to find more economies in programs and curb wasteful spending, Polletta said, Republican support for income tax breaks for renters and families likely would increase significantly.
—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wasteful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wasteful
Adjective
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There is always a suspension of disbelief required in luxury fashion, as designers use the runway to communicate their most extravagant, pie-in-the-sky vision of what clothes could be.
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Davis was known to the world for his extravagant style and lavish Grammy parties.
Adjective
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Avoid the impulse to label someone as cheap or profligate after one or two dates, AARP advises.
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The measure is clearly a state limit on profligate local governments’ ability to raise taxes.
Adjective
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Scattered over the top were generous pebbles of queso panela, mild, milky and squeaky like halloumi.
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Getty Images for Shop the Sample Like TJ Maxx and Marshalls, Shop The Sample offers generous discounts on high-end clothing.
Adjective
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In many states, including Maryland, debtors may exempt substantial assets from bankruptcy, including retirement accounts, spendthrift trusts and substantial equity in real estate (unlimited in Texas).
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To prevent this from occurring, parents can create an estate plan that ultimately places a spendthrift child’s inheritance into a trust that regulates how much the child can take out.
Adjective
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In high school, students would read the parable of the prodigal son, portions of the Book of Job, and the story of Adam and Eve.
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The Larry Brown era Brown might have provided the most theatrical era of any prodigal Knicks savior.
Adjective
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The suspect, 30‑year‑old Trevion Mark of Fort Worth, was arrested nearby without incident and charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle, according to DPS.
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Mark was charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle and booked into the Tarrant County Jail.
Adjective
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The Most The business owners who get burned in an exit are almost never careless.
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Still, multitasking can lead to careless errors, irritability or burnout, so take it easy.
Adjective
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But the court ruled in February that Republican counter plans violated a Utah referendum prohibiting gerrymandering, solidifying the single district centered on the increasingly liberal Salt Lake City.
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The high court divided 6 to 3 along ideological lines in ruling against Damon Landor, with the three liberal justices in dissent.
Cite this Entry
“Wasteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wasteful. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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