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
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 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
Going that route is improvident.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 5 Mar. 2022
The history of emerging markets is full of imprudent investors as well as improvident borrowers.
—The Economist, 5 Oct. 2017
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
Going that route is improvident.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 5 Mar. 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
-
Stewart’s successor, Mayor Bobby Sanchez, a Democrat, suspended Blogoslawski in February amid allegations of improprieties, including the careless handling of cash and the backdating of tax payments to avoid interest penalties.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
More likely the difference was in the turnover column – 15 for the Lakers, which led to 18 Houston points, including several errors that seemed careless and one sequence early in the fourth quarter at the offensive end in which the ball was flying all over the place.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The protester who threw a garbage bin was arrested for reckless endangerment shortly after cops arrive, officials said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
-
One of the reckless endangerment arrests was for a person who allegedly threw garbage at a vehicle that was unrelated to the ICE operation, according to the NYPD.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
30 Apr. 2026
-
That is, defining success and failure criteria early, testing assumptions quickly and containing any downside before commitment becomes wasteful.—
Kumar Rakesh Ranjan,
The Conversation,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But virtually eliminating arts and culture funding is shortsighted due to the return on investment those grants provide in the form of resident and tourist spending.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
What’s frugal at $10 million can become shortsighted at $100 million.—
Samuel Mueller,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Derby fashion became even bigger, more extravagant, and brighter.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Figures move across these planes in extravagant silhouette, heads tilted just so, fingers stiffly splayed and elbows akimbo.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improvident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvident. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
