IMPROVIDENT Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

improvident

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈprä-və-dənt

Definition of improvident

as in careless

not thinking about and providing for the future the improvident view that the wearing away of the ozone layer need not concern us

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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 improvident So, yes, the judiciary can be a bulwark against improvident prosecutions. — John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026 Then, there’s the waste that results from improvident eating habits. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 Unsurprisingly, Peter proves to be nasty, brutish and improvident. — Joanne Kaufman, WSJ, 2 Dec. 2022 The history of emerging markets is full of imprudent investors as well as improvident borrowers. — The Economist, 5 Oct. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvident

Adjective

Josh Hoover may have been a bit careless, but every game TCU has played this season is another painful example how badly both his old school, and coach, miss him.

— Mac Engel October 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
According to police, the driver was cited for careless driving.

— Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of careless

Adjective

Van Lemaster, 88, was booked into the Larimer County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and reckless endangerment on Friday.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
In 2016, Zelich pled guilty to first-degree reckless homicide in the death of Gamez and one count of hiding a corpse.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of reckless

Adjective

As costs kept climbing, many health economists were reluctant to probe the wasteful spending that accompanied the consolidation frenzy.

— Dana P. Goldman, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026
President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking a second term in January, has repeatedly defended his decision to scrap a years-long subsidy program in 2023 to avoid wasteful spending and invest in infrastructure development.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of wasteful

Adjective

Detractors attacked the moment with glee, but that viewpoint ends up being shortsighted.

— Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
Twenty-one at-bats after a decent layoff is hardly a big enough sample to get right, which is part of why the Dodgers’ handling of Ohtani this month felt shortsighted.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of shortsighted

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improvidence

improvident

improving

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“Improvident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvident. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of improvident

adjective

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