profligacy

noun

ˈprä-fli-gə-sē How to pronounce profligacy (audio)
Definition of profligacynext
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

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 profligacy California’s profligacy in state funding during the Newsom era has been made possible by its high tax rates, as evidenced by its 48th overall ranking in the 2025 Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index. — Jim Doti, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026 Should the Fed act imprudently, financial markets respond swiftly through rising yields or declining asset prices, mechanisms that serve as effective constraints on profligacy. — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 2 Feb. 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 See All Example Sentences for profligacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profligacy
  1. corruption
  2. immorality
  3. sin
  4. sinfulness
  5. evil
Noun
  • His priorities include stopping corruption in Congress, making housing more affordable, protecting public lands, defending the Second Amendment and strengthening public schools, according to his website.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
  • For years, Deborah Witzburg sounded the loudest alarm when uncovering hundreds of cases of corruption and fraud inside Chicago city government.
    — Chris Tye, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • 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
  • That immorality takes on many forms across all aspects of society.
    — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 5 May 2026
Definition of immorality
Noun
  • In the film, however, Odysseus’s falsehoods have dire consequences, an apparent reflection of the biblical assertion that false witness is a sin.
    — Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026
  • Drawing from Baldwin’s own experiences, the novel explores a young man’s spiritual and personal awakening while examining the lasting impact of history, sin, and love.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 24 July 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • But soon after, in Genesis 18, God tells Abraham of plans to investigate reports of sinfulness in Sodom and Gomorrah.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of sinfulness
Noun
  • Despite this, some pundits have theorized that Netflix’s aversion to theaters has hurt its films’ chances because the industry sees the company as a force for evil in the cinematic space.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Schaldemose plays grieving widow Anna who returns to Hel Island to bury her late husband after his suicide, and is promptly cast out by the eccentric locals for being a symbol of bad luck and evil.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of evil

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profligacy
profligate
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Cite this Entry

“Profligacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profligacy. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on profligacy

Nglish: Translation of profligacy for Spanish Speakers

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