as in corruption
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society
a religious leader who railed against the profligacy of the nation's decadent aristocrats
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of profligacy
In part, that’s because our current profligacy amounts to the opposite of a growth policy.
—
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2026
The State of Illinois and City of Chicago’s finances have been in a continuous downward spiral because of their unbalanced budgets, spending, profligacy, and inability — especially from Chicago — to deal with the staggering unfunded pension liabilities.
—Joe Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Fiscal profligacy and political meddling in monetary policy are eroding the foundations of dollar dominance.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
And while challenges persist, there are already signs that hidebound profligacy is being replaced by newfound autarky.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for profligacy
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2026
The State of Illinois and City of Chicago’s finances have been in a continuous downward spiral because of their unbalanced budgets, spending, profligacy, and inability — especially from Chicago — to deal with the staggering unfunded pension liabilities.
—Joe Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Fiscal profligacy and political meddling in monetary policy are eroding the foundations of dollar dominance.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
And while challenges persist, there are already signs that hidebound profligacy is being replaced by newfound autarky.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for profligacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profligacy
Noun
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Rubio acknowledged that the current arrangement may not be permanent, but described it as a significant departure from the corruption and patronage structures that dominated Venezuela during the Chávez and Maduro years.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
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Becerra has not been accused of wrongdoing in the corruption case, though that did not stop Steyer’s campaign from suggesting he might be indicted in eleventh-hour TV ads that drew a cease-and-desist warning from Becerra’s attorney.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
-
Following this tendency might finally cure us not only of indigestion but also the ancient immorality of eating other organisms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
My youth was my downfall, my sin love, and the go-between a snowy day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
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For pilgrims, Hajj, performed over five days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins.—
Baraa Anwer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
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Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Because of good people who stood up to evil, my family was able to come to America and build a life in South Florida.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
28 May 2026
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And prepare for a chant about good and evil that defines the village people’s identity.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Profligacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profligacy. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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